ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) -- Top-ranked Martina Hingis had a surprisingly troublesome 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 win over plucky Russian qualifier Tatiana Panova Tuesday in the second round of the European Indoor Championships.

Fresh off her third title in Filderstadt, Germany, last week -- her seventh of the year -- Hingis arrived in Zurich seeking to win her first tournament title in Switzerland.

But for a short while, the crowd of 4,800 was uncertain whether the five-time Grand Slam tournament champion would make it past her first match, as Hingis struggled to conquer the feisty 57th-ranked Russian.

Facing her home public in Zurich for the first time in two years, Hingis began by winning the first three games of the match. Undaunted, Panova broke back at 5-3 to put the set back on serve.

Hingis appeared powerless to subdue the resolute Panova, who forced a tiebreak.

After winning the first set, Hingis again broke first, taking a 2-0 lead in the second set. Panova, however, fought gamely, staving off three match points before finally falling.

``She made me crazy sometimes,'' said Hingis. ``On court I think I probably underestimated her.

``I should have finished off that first set much quicker. There's too much chocolate here in Switzerland.''

Hingis has not competed at Zurich in two years, being sidelined with an ankle injury a year ago. In her four previous appearances, she has reached the final only once, losing the Jana Novotna in 1996.

With defending champion Lindsay Davenport sidelined with a wrist injury, U.S. Open champion Serena Williams bowing out for scheduling problems, six-time champion Steffi Graf and Novotna recently retired, the door is open for Hingis to finally claim the elusive title.

Eighth-seeded Nathalie Tauziat won her second round match, defeating French compatriot Sandrine Testud 7-5, 6-3.