One break of serve proved the difference between New Zealand Davis Cup players Mark Nielsen and James Shortall in the second round of the US$10,000 ($23,000) men's Futures event at North Harbour.
Nielsen won 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.
Playing a Davis Cup team-mate and potential rival for a singles placing in the
side was a real test for the New Zealand No 2, whose return of serve was well tested.
"Today, he served probably the best he has in the past few tournaments," Nielsen said.
"There was a lot more pressure on me because I'm ranked higher."
Nielsen is 418th in the world, compared with Shortall's 715.
The service break came in the eighth game in the second set with Nielsen up 4-3. He broke Shortall's serve easily and then held his own to complete the match.
For Nielsen, playing in his own province is a novelty.
The 24-year-old grew up near the North Harbour Tennis Park and appreciates the surroundings.
"It's very strange ... but it's nice to go home and see the family and sleep in my own bed.
"The simple things are everything. It's so much easier when you're at home."
Nielsen will play Australian qualifier Morgan Wilson in the quarter-finals today and looks to have a good chance of making the semifinals.
Korean Davis Cup player Seung-Hun Lee also reached the quarter-finals, beating German Bernhard Parun 6-2, 6-3.
Tournament second seed Dong-Hyun Kim showed good form as he advanced after dispatching German Frank Moser for the loss of only two games, 6-1, 6-1.
