PARIS — Nikolay Davydenko became the first man to reach the third round of the French Open today when Flavio Saretta retired during the second set of their match because of the flu.

Seeded sixth, Davydenko led 6-2, 4-1 when Saretta quit.

"He was sick already from yesterday," Davydenko said. "I think he was feeling he cannot like try to play more games."

Another Russian, No. 14-seeded Dinara Safina, beat Hana Sromova 6-0, 6-2. Safina hit 31 winners, including six aces.

Davydenko, a semifinalist last year at Roland Garros, extended his winning streak this month to seven matches. He won his sixth career title Saturday in Austria.

The weather was cool and damp for the fourth day of the tournament, with temperatures in the 50s and rain briefly interrupting play. Davydenko played well from the beginning despite the 11 a.m. local start.

For American men at the French Open, it's the same old story — even the quotes.

"Whatever I said last year, just copy it," said Andy Roddick, one of five U.S. first-round losers. "I'm sure it still fits."

For the second time since 1967, only two American men advanced to the second round at Roland Garros. It also happened in 2004.

A year ago, three made it. And Roddick's right: Last year's quote still fits.

"We all have a lot of pride," he said then, "and it has gotten taken down a lot in the last couple of years here."

Roddick made his latest hasty exit on a bad ankle, retiring when he trailed Alberto Martin 6-4, 7-5, 1-0 Tuesday. Seeded fifth, Roddick aggravated a sprain he suffered last week and quit in part because he feared making the injury worse.

But like his compatriots, Roddick tends to stumble on red clay anyway. He lost in the opening round for the third time in six appearances at Roland Garros, and his career record at his worst Grand Slam event fell to 4-6.

"I wanted to come out here and at least give it a shot," Roddick said. "I've played through injuries before. But the circumstances here and how much you use that part of your body on this stuff makes it a tough combo."

Preceding him to the sideline were fellow Americans Paul Goldstein, Vince Spadea, Justin Gimelstob and No. 17-seeded Robby Ginepri.

Two years ago, for the first time at a Grand Slam event since 1973, no U.S. men made it to the third round, and it could happen again. The two remaining Americans, No. 8-seeded James Blake and Kevin Kim, face difficult matches Thursday.