Miami  - Russia put four women into the third round of the Miami Masters on Friday, with second seed Dinara Safina leading the way past France's Mathilde Johansson 6-1, 6-3.

Safina, who missed a chance to seize the number 1 WTA ranking from Serena Williams last week in Indian Wells when the American did not play, paced fourth-seeded compatriot Elena Dementieva, a winner over Anastasia Pivovarova 6-0, 3-6, 6-3.

Former US Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova scored a comeback over teenaged Austrian Tamira Paszek 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 while Alisa Kleybanova beat Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakstan 6-2, 6-4 to complete the Russian winning quartet.

But the nation thick with tennis talent did no have it all its own way, with Maria Kirilenko joining Pivovarova as a day 3 loser at Crandon Park as she went out to Italian 15th seed Flavia Pennetta.

Novak Djokovic got play started for leading men's seeds with his decisive defeat of Canadian Frank Dancevic 6-3, 6-2. The Serb third seed went through in an efficient 70 minutes with three breaks of the number 117.

Djokovic, who won the Miami title in 2007, posted his second victory over Dancevic. The Serb improved to 18-7 during a season which included his 12th career title in Dubai last month.

Number 9 Frenchman Gael Monfils advanced over American journeyman Michael Russell 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3. James Blake, seeded 13, beat Julien Benneteau of France 6-4, 6-4. (dpa)