By DAVE WORSLEY
Adam Thompson gave New Zealand a great start on day one of the US$10,000 ($15,400) Futures event at the North Harbour Tennis Park.
The West Aucklander beat British qualifier Alex Miotto but things quickly stalled when Davis Cup player Matt Prentice lost after holding a one set to love
lead and then Kiwi number one Mark Nielsen was forced to withdraw with a right ankle injury prior to his match getting on court.
Thompson, ranked at 870 in the world, looked as though he would wrap up his match in straight sets after racing to a 5-1 lead in the first.
However, Miotto upped the tempo to put pressure on the Kiwi who managed to close out the set 6-4.
In the second Miotto came back to win the set 6-2.
A new lease of life seemed to spur Thompson on in the third, which he won 6-3 to make the second round for the first time in the three tournament series.
Prentice had everything in his favour against Japanese qualifier Atsuo Ogawa, with the indoor venue aiding his serve and allowing him to hit his way out of trouble.
Yet the tenacity of Ogawa was too much for the Wellingtonian who appeared to let the thought of his first ATP ranking point weigh him down.
Eventually Ogawa won the match 5-7, 7-5, 6-3.
Second round play starts tomorrow at the North Harbour Tennis Park at 11am.
