Hingis labours into Montreal third round

MONTREAL, August 16 (Reuters) Former world number one Martina Hingis rallied from a second-set deficit to defeat Italy's Mara Santangelo 7-5 7-6 in the second round of the Rogers Cup.

Hingis, the seventh seed, trailed 4-1 in the second set, but managed to break back twice to get back in the set before finally prevailing in the tie-breaker to move into the third round yesterday.

One of eight players to get a first-round bye, the Swiss was obviously comfortable playing in an event she won in 1999 and 2000.

''I'm just very happy to be back here in Montreal in front of a stadium like this,'' Hingis said.

''It wasn't an easy match in the beginning. Overall it was a good match to get through in straight sets.'' Hingis received some courtside visits from her mother during the match, as she took advantage of the event's on-court coaching rules that allow visits during sets.

''She knows my game inside out. She just told me to play my game.

It helps.'' Hingis will now meet either No. 11 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia or American qualifier Jamea Jackson in the third round.

In the only other second-round match Tuesday, fifth seed Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic met fellow Czech Lucie Safarova in the night's final match.

Earlier yesterday local fans were delighted as Canadian wild card Marie-Eve Pelletier stunned 16th seed Na Li of China 6-4 6-2.

Pelletier, the world number 337, had little difficulty putting away her Chinese opponent to move on to the second round as she attempts to rebound from an injury riddled year.

''I've had a very rough year with injuries,'' Pelletier, who has had a recurring foot injury, said. ''To be able to put everything back together here in Montreal, it's great.'' Another Canadian crowd favorite made it into the second round as wildcard Stephanie Dubois beat lucky loser Tathiana Garbin of Italy 6-4 6-4 in a match that was suspended on Monday night and again delayed by rain yesterday.

Dubois has her work cut out in the second round, however, when she faces top seed and defending champion Kim Clijsters of Belgium on Wednesday.

Russian Anna Chakvetadze beat countrywoman Vera Dushevina 7-5 6-3 to earn a second-round match against third seeded Russian Nadia Petrova.

REUTERS PM ND0928