Moscow, Russia, 17 October 2013 | AP

Seventh-seeded Sam Stosur has advanced to the second round of the Kremlin Cup by beating Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi 6-3 6-1.

Stosur, coming off her second title this season and fifth of her career, converted four of 11 break opportunities.

“I played really well today and Kaia was a really dangerous opponent,” Stosur said.

“I really tried to start the match well, on top.”

A runner-up in Moscow last season, Stosur will next play Alize Cornet.

Meanwhile, Stosur’s doubles partner and two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Sofia Arvidsson 6-2 7-5.

Kuznetsova, currently ranked 23rd, overcame an early break in the second set and earned the victory on her third match point.

“I felt myself much better today and was more relaxed on the court,” Kuznetsova said.

“Yet, I was hurrying a bit and wanted to play more aggressive, thus making more mistakes. But I can say that now, by the end of the season, I play much better.”