Petrova struggles before advancing at Amelia Island

NEW YORK, Apr 5 (Reuters) Top-seeded Nadia Petrova of Russia stumbled in the second set against Czech Katerina Bohmova before advancing to the third round of the 600,000 dollar Amelia Island Tennis Tournament.

Petrova had her hands full with the wildcard before squeezing out a 6-1 6-7 6-3 victory in her opening match of the tournament yesterday.

The Russian won the first set handily and led the second 4-1 before Bohmova rallied. The Czech could not sustain her form in the third, however.

Third-seeded Francesca Schiavone of Italy also won her second round match, beating qualifier Conchita Martinez Granados of Spain 6-4 6-1 later in the day.

Czech Nicole Vaidisova, seeded fourth, advanced by downing France's Laura Pous Tio 6-4 6-4.

Also through to the third round was Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic. The 15th seed won her second round match over Italy's Mara Santangelo 6-4 1-6 6-3.

Eight seeds received first round byes in the first Tier II claycourt tournament of the season.

There were also eight remaining first round matches played yesterday, but only one involving a seeded player.

In that, 14th seed Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia stopped Catalina Castano of Colombia 6-4 6-2.

REUTERS PDS ND1030