Top seed Peng leads 5 Chinese into Thailand 2nd round

PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) Top-seeded Peng Shuai led the Chinese challenge into the second round of the Thailand Open by beating Alla Kudryavtseva of Russia 6-3 6-2 on Tuesday.

Peng dominated with her double-fisted groundstrokes to beat Kudryavtseva for the first time in three matchups.

Peng, who reached the U.S. Open semifinals last year, was one of five Chinese winners on the day, beside eighth-seeded Zhang Shuai, Zhu Lin, promoted as a late replacement for injured fifth seed Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan and knocked out 2006 champion Shahar Peer of Israel 7-6 (5), 6-1, Duan Ying-ying, and Zheng Saisai.

Also, Misaki Doi of Japan put out local two-time finalist Tamarine Tanasugarn 7-6 (2) 6-0, and fourth-seeded Kurumi Nara of Japan also advanced.