Davydenko Fights Off Injury at ATP Rotterdam

The Russian took an injury timeout for a taping of his foot in the last game of the first set.

"After that kind of taping, you don't feel the pain, you just feel the tape," Davydenko said of the treatment that allowed him to pull through. "I expect to be ready for Wednesday. I'll be ready to play Rusedski."

Rusedski advanced to his meeting with the Russian after a straight-set win over Czech Robin Vik.

"He returns so well," Rusedski said of Vik. "But at the beginning I just couldn't miss. I managed to stay on top, played some great tennis, and I'm very pleased with it. He played a little better in the second set but I though from about 4-4, I played some really good tennis and came up with the break."

Other winners into the second round Monday were qualifiers Gilles Simon of France (d. Moodie in three) and German Dominik Meffert (d. (WC) Sluiter who retired with a leg injury), and American Taylor Dent (d. (8) Berdych) with the lone upset on the day.

Thus far 14 players have pulled out of the maligned Rotterdam event.

On court Monday are Andreev vs. (Q) Daniele "Choppin'" Bracciali, (LL) Parmar vs. Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan, Fabrice "The Magician" Santoro vs. Mathieu in an all-French, (WC) Van Der Duim vs. (LL) Calatrava, (3) Ferrer vs. Minar, (LL) Lisnard vs. Christophe "The Roach" Rochus, Olivier "The Other Roach" Rochus vs. Jurgen "Tuna" Melzer, and (Q) Djokovic vs. Seppi.