Russia's [ Images ] Svetlana Kuznetsova [ Images ] avenged a shock defeat by China's Li Na [ Images ] at the Beijing [ Images ] Olympics [ Images ] in the first round of the Pan Pacific Open on Wednesday.

The former US Open [ Images ] champion, toppled by Li at the first hurdle in Beijing last month, won 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 to reach the last 16 in Tokyo.

Fifth seed Kuznetsova, who helped Russia retain the Fed Cup in Spain at the weekend, wrapped up a tough win with a fizzing ace down the middle after one hour and 49 minutes.

"I played in Europe on clay on Sunday," an exhausted Kuznetsova told reporters. "I couldn't ask more of myself. I was in danger of losing because I wasn't 100 percent prepared.

"I've never had the experience of playing a Fed Cup final, then two days later coming out to play such a big tournament so far away -- and to play Li, who beat me at the Olympics."

Li went on to reach the semi-finals in Beijing, losing to Dinara Safina [ Images ]. The Chinese was beaten by another Russian, Vera Zvonareva [ Images ], in the bronze medal playoff.

Serbia's Jelena Jankovic [ Images ] heads a strong field in Tokyo including six of the world's top 10 players and will regain the number one ranking from Serena Williams [ Images ] if she wins the $1.34 million tournament.

Jankovic, fellow-Serb Ana Ivanovic [ Images ] and Russia's Olympic champion Elena Dementieva [ Images ] all play on Thursday after receiving byes into the second round.

Fourth seed Safina was playing her opening match later on Wednesday against Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova [ Images ].

In other matches, Slovenia's Katarina Srebotnik brushed aside Caroline Wozniacki [ Images ] of Denmark 6-1, 6-2 while Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano ousted Japan's [ Images ] Ai Sugiyama [ Images ] 6-3, 6-2.

Meanwhile, Russian Nadia Petrova [ Images ] beat France's [ Images ] Aravane Rezai [ Images ] 7-5, 6-2 to set up a meeting with Ivanovic.