New Zealand No2 Dan King-Turner joined Austen Childs as the only kiwis in the second round of the US$15,000 ASB Men's International Futures tournament in Hamilton yesterday, after struggling through a three set first round match.
King-Turner was made to work hard to defeat eighth seeded Chilean Felipe Parada 6-33-6 6-3 and immediately called for more tournaments of the same standing around New Zealand to give the sport an extra push.
"It's good to play in New Zealand. The costs are lower and we're familiar with the environment. It would be great to have more Futures tournaments and even a Challenger event too in the next year or so," said the 627th ranked King-Turner.
"The sport would get a good boost and players would get international tournament experience."
"It was tricky conditions today. He was obviously a clay court player but he was teeing off at times on my serve. Luckily my serve was actually better than it has been in the past couple of weeks. I'm happy with the win and beating a guy with a ranking at 379," said King-Turner.
Bay of Plenty teenager Childs, who knocked out the top seed on day one, has had his second round opponent decided. Childs will play American David Martin, who has been suffering from a slight leg injury.
Childs will be US$250 worse off after being fined for turning up late for his first round doubles match. He was set to partner Auckland 17-year-old Martin Colenbrander but in a race against the 15 minute call time was too late driving from Tauranga with his coach Marcel Vos.
They were to face Wairarapa's Marcus Daniell and Wellington's Robert Foy, a winnable match. In the end a lucky loser pair took their place and Daniell Foy won the match in straight sets.
It was not a good day for Colenbrander who also lost his held-over singles match 6-4 6-4, with a break of serve in each set, to Finnish qualifier Niklas Bucht.
Oliver Statham was also beaten in his first round singles match by sixth seeded American Scott Lipsky 6-4 6-3.
Davis Cup team member Rubin Statham lost his match to Australian Open junior runner-up Nick Lindahl.
King-Turner will start the second round day at 10am against Bucht followed by Childs against Martin.
