Rubin Statham's carrying New Zealand hopes into the second round of the Heineken tennis Open in Auckland today.
The New Zealand number two's up against the eighth-seeded Spaniard Albert Montanes, who beat him in straight sets in their only other match, two years ago in Auckland.
Statham's trying not to feel the pressure of becoming the first New Zealander to win a second-round match at Auckland since Brett Steven beat Marat Safin in 1999.
But he says he's treating it like any other match, despite the extra pressure.
The top four seeds - all Spaniards - are in action for the first time, after being given a bye into the second round.
Statham and Montanes follow top seed Tommy Robredo against Germany's Simon Greul on centre court. First up before the New Zealander's match is third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero against Swiss qualifier Michael Lammers.
