Davydenko, the men's sixth seed, booked his place when Brazil's Flavio Saretta pulled out with flu with the Russian leading 6-2, 4-1 while Safina, the women's 14th seed, brushed aside Hana Sromova of the Czech Republic 6-0, 6-2.

Russia had 15 women in the first round draw here while five Russian men started out hoping to emulate compatriot Yevgeny Kafelnikov, the last man from their country to lift the men's title here in 1996.

"There's no doubt that the Russians are getting better and we will really be ready for the Davis Cup semi-final with America in September," said Davydenko.

Former world number one Marat Safin was a first round loser but Dmitry Tursunov, Mikhail Youzhny and teenager Evgeny Korolev all made it through to the second round.

Igor Andreev, the world number 26 and the last man to beat Rafael Nadal on clay, is absent through injury.

Davydenko believes part of the reason for the growth in men's tennis in Russia is the tendency for players to live and practice outside the country.

"Tursunov lives in America, Korolev trains and lives in Germany," said Davydenko who now faces 1998 champion Carlos Moya of Spain, the 30th seed who put out Youzhny 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

"Roland Garros is always special," said Moya. "I know I am not the favourite but I think I still have got good tennis to play."

Safina, who now faces Slovenian 24th seed Katarina Srebotnik, admitted that advice from big brother Marat Safin had helped her in the last twelve months.

"He told me to get in better shape, but I knew that I had to be fitter to compete with the top 10 players. It's something I've been working on," said the 20-year-old.

Japanese 22nd seed Ai Sugiyama was knocked out by French qualifier Aravane Rezai 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 who goes on to face either Czech 16th seed Nicole Vaidisova or Sun Tiantian of China.

Paris Masters champion Thomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, the 20th seed, was an early winner beating Filippo Volandri of Italy 6-3, 6-1, 6-1. He will take on either Frenchman Marc Gicquel or German 13th seed Nicolas Kiefer.

Action early on Wednesday was interrupted by two lenghty rain delays.

Top seed Roger Federer, chasing the final leg of a possible Grand Slam, had taken the first set against Colombian lucky loser Alejandro Falla before heavy rain sent the players off court.

Later, women's top seed Amelie Mauresmo was due to meet Vera Dushevina of Russia while Maria Sharapova, the Russian fourth seed, took on Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic.

Argentinian third seed David Nalbandian was to tackle France's Richard Gasquet while American 11th seed Venus Williams had a date with Emma Laine of Finland.