AUCKLAND, Jan 7: Second seed Juan Ignacio Chela had to overcome a one-set deficit and a break down in the third set to local wildcard Dan King-Turner before he advanced to the second round of the Auckland Open on Monday.

Argentine Chela took almost two and a half hours to dispose of the 344-ranked King-Turner, who had gone 3-1 up in the final set but eventually handed Chela the lead with a double fault at 5-5.

The 20th-ranked Chela seized the opportunity with both hands to serve out a 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 victory at the Auckland Tennis Centre.

“It was definitely a close match,” King-Turner told reporters. “I think I played reasonably well throughout the whole time.

“It’s another level from what I’m used to so I think that was the difference today.”

Sixth-seed Spaniard Nicolas Almagro had an easier path into the second round with 6-3, 6-4 demolition of Argentina’s Jose Acasuso, while eighth seed Albert Montanes of Spain beat New Zealand wildcard Jose Statham 6-4, 6-4.

Belgium’s Olivier Rochus beat Michael Berrer of Germany 6-7 (8-10), 6-2, 6-4 in the late match.

Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero, a frequent visitor to Auckland, will meet Croatia’s Mario Ancic in the feature match on Tuesday while top-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer meets compatriot Oscar Hernandez.

First-round results: Olivier Rochus (Belgium) bt Michael Berrer (Germany) 6-7 (8-10), 6-2, 6-4; 8-Albert Montanes (Spain) bt Jose Statham (New Zealand) 6-4, 6-4; Florian Mayer (Germany) bt Sam Querrey (US) 7-5, 6-3; 2-Juan Ignacio Chela (Argentina) bt Daniel King-Turner (New Zealand) 5-7, 6-2, 7-5; Julien Benneteau (France) bt Dudi Sela (Israel) 6-4, 7-6 (7-3); Juergen Melzer (Austria) bt Werner Eschauer (Austria) 6-4, 1-6, 6-3; 6-Nicolas Almagro (Spain) bt Jose Acasuso (Argentina) 6-3, 6-4.—Reuters