Top seeded Roberta Vinci of Italy struggled to beat Russian Nina Bratchikova 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 in her opening round match at Estoril Open, Portugal on Monday.

Vinci, who lost her previous meeting with Bratchikova at Monterrey Open this February, looked in spot of trouble as she trailed 2-4 in the third set. However Vinci regrouped herself and won four games in row to register the victory.

"I lost against her in Monterrey this year and she played very well today again, especially in the second set," said Vinci said. "I was playing good tennis at the start but in the end I had to play much more aggressive to come back, and I'm very happy to win such a tough match. It was tough conditions today, too."

She added "I'm the No.1 seed but it's such a tough draw here, so I'm taking it step by step and just trying to do my best," she said. "Of course I hope to win the title, but I'm just taking it match by match."

In other match of the day, seventh seeded Russian Nadia Petrova eased past Portuguese wildcard Barbara Luz 6-0, 6-1.

"It was a good start. I hadn't played a match on red clay until this event," said Petrova. "This was a perfect warm-up match for me. Tomorrow I'm playing doubles and practicing, and getting ready for my second round match."

Also, American Vania King battled past Swede Johanna Larsson 6-7(6),6-3, 6-0.