Li Snaps Out Of It, Sveta Cruises

Svetlana Kuznetsova made a strong start to her Porsche Tennis Grand Prix title defense, cruising past Katarina Srebotnik.

Kuznetsova, who bested then-No.1 Dinara Safina to win last year's title in Stuttgart, picked up right where she left off, breaking serve four times and never getting broken herself en route to a routine 61 62 win over Srebotnik.

"I was practicing on clay in Russia for a week, outdoors," Kuznetsova said at the All-Access Hour on Monday. "I'd love to reach the final again here but I was focused on getting past my first round, taking it a match at a time."

Kuznetsova also credited the tournament itself for her success here: "I like the arena and the courts. I feel comfortable here," the Russian said. "When I like the place, I play well there. I like the US Open, I won it. I like Stuttgart, I also won it. Same goes for Beijing and the French Open. This is the tournament I like the most: the organization, the atmosphere... it's very important."

Kuznetsova is seeded No.3 this year, behind Caroline Wozniacki and Safina. Wozniacki is coming off a difficult experience in her last tournament over in Charleston, where she sprained her ankle in the semifinals chasing down a drop shot and had to retire from the match. But the Dane is feeling sharp again.

"The ankle is much better. I've been healing really fast," Wozniacki said. "I hope I can start here where I left off. It's a very strong field here, a lot of good players, so it won't be easy - but I'm looking forward to playing here."

The only other seed in action Tuesday was No.5 seed Agnieszka Radwanska, who rallied from 3-1 down in the second set to edge Ana Ivanovic in straight sets, 76(4) 64. Ivanovic has now lost six of her last seven matches.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I have to be positive," Ivanovic said. "I feel like I've been improving. I just need more match practice, as I'm not getting many matches lately. Every day I'm learning something new."

Li Na, Shahar Peer, Agnes Szavay, Alexandra Dulgheru and qualifiers Tsvetana Pironkova and Anna Lapushchenkova were also among the winners on the first day of main draw play at the Premier-level tournament, the only indoor clay court tournament on the 2010 calendar.