MOSCOW (AP) Fifth-seeded Flavia Pennetta of Italy was eliminated in the first round of the Kremlin Cup on Tuesday, losing to Elena Vesnina of Russia 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.
The 23rd-ranked Pennetta struggled on her serve in the third set. She saved three break points in the second game and two more in the fourth before Vesnina eventually broke for a 3-1 lead. Vesnina earned two match points with a precise crosscourt forehand and converted the second when Pennetta failed to return her crosscourt shot.
Three-time champion Nikolay Davydenko tops the men's draw of the 21st edition of the event. Jelena Jankovic, who won in 2008, is the top-seeded woman.