Seeds are sent packing in Valencia

Davydenko was among three of the top four seeds to bite the dust in Spain.

MADRID, Spain -- Top seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia and Spaniards David Ferrer and Juan Carlos Ferrero all fell in a trio of first round shocks at the Valencia Open.

Davydenko, who pulled out of his singles rubber on Sunday in Russia's Davis Cup quarter-final win over France due to injury, lost 7-5 7-5 to Czech opponent Jan Hernych on the Spanish clay.

Ferrer, the third seed, retired with back pain after losing a first set tiebreak against France's Thierry Ascione 7-1.

In another upset Spain's Nicolas Almagro defeated former world number one Ferrero, the fourth seed, 6-7 6-4 6-4 to reach the second round.

Another of Russia's Davis Cup players, wild card entrant Marat Safin, enjoyed a 7-6 6-4 victory over his compatriot Igor Andreev -- the defending champion.