Russia's Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Ermakova led a pack of 24 pairs after the duet technical routine of synchronized swimming Monday at the Beijing Games.

Davydova and Ermakova, the defending Olympic champions, completed their duet technical routine with the highest mark of 49.334 points, 0.5 points ahead of second-placed Spainish duo of Gemma Mengual and Andrea Fuentes.

Japan's Saho Harada and Emiko Suzuki were third on 48.250 points, and Chinese twins Jiang Tingting and Jiang Wenwen fourth on 48.084 points.

In each routine, points are awarded for execution and overall impression, and the final score is determined by combining half of the technical routine score with half of the free routine score. The final routine competitions are scheduled on Wednesday.

"We performed very well, so we got a high score," said Davydova, "We want to present the Russian spirit through our competition at the Games."

Davydova said they can withstand the challenge from the Spanish pair.

"In all the competitions that we attended, they didn't win. In Europe, the Spanish team is very strong, but overall, the Russian team is better," she said.

The Chinese twins were boisterously cheered by the home spectators. Coached by Japanese Masayo Imura, the twins are aiming to improve upon the 7th place in Athens and make a podium finish in Beijing.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for the athletes on their home turf, and they should be happy to perform on this stage," said Imura.

"I guess their performance today was about 75 percent (perfect), because they made a rare mistake in the end," she said.

Synchronized swimming made its Olympic debut in 1984. The sport includes duet and team competitions and both formats include a technical and free routine.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2008)