MELBOURNE, Australia — French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova has advanced to the third round of the Australian Open after beating fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 6-2.

The third-seeded Kuznetsova took a 5-1 lead in the opening set by breaking Pavlyuchenkova's first two service games, and was seldom troubled in the opening match Wednesday on Rod Laver Arena.

In eight previous trips to Melbourne Park, Kuznetsova has advanced to the quarterfinals twice, including last year when she lost to eventual champion Serena Williams.