US Open: Davydenko eases into second round

New York: Sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia opened his US Open title campaign with a solid 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 victory over American Michael Russell on Monday.

The Russian, twice a semifinalist in New York but still making his way back after a wrist injury this year, recovered from a slow start to cruise through in 2 hours, 21 minutes.

Russell had never won a match in five previous US Open tournaments but looked good as he broke Davydenko to lead 4-2.

But Davydenko won four straight games to take the opening set and then eased through the remaining two sets to set up a second-round meeting with Frenchman Richard Gasquet.