sets to get past Argentinian qualifier Sebastian Prieto.

Morning rain provided an early damper on the green clay at Coral Beach, but it did little to cool the fireworks that followed as Massu and Prieto traded bombs in a marathon match lasting more than two hours.

The aftermath of the baseline duel witnessed Massu standing as a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4) winner. However, there could be no denying the fight put up by his South American counterpart.

Prieto had the contest in his clutches, serving for the match at 6-5 in the final set after breaking Massu the previous game. However, clearly spent after an exhausting spell in humid conditions on court seven, he failed to hold, handing Massu a lifeline of which he took full advantage.

Massu took control in the tie-break as Prieto committed several costly unforced errors.

The ending provided a degree of irony as, after a lengthy clash dominated by brutal baseline rallies, a finely placed touch volley on a rare front-court foray proved the decisive stroke.

"It (losing) was a big disappointment because I had him 6-5 serving for the match, but still it was a good fight,'' said Prieto, who passed through two rounds of qualifying just to get into the main draw.

During a first set that warned of what was to come both Prieto and Massu were content to hit exclusively from the baseline. Each held serve up until the 10th game, when Massu -- up 5-4 -- produced the first break of the match to steal an advantage and the set.

Yet, just when it appeared Massu had momentum, Prieto stepped to the fore, breaking his opponent's serve twice in succession to begin the second set, while holding his own for a 4-0 lead. He eventually took the set 6-2.

"I was a little tired in the second set ... the humidity here is unbelievable,'' said Massu after taking a shower. "Also, I was thinking that I could take it easy and have another chance in the third set.

"I was concerned when I was down 6-5 in the third. I (squandered) many chances and opportunities, but my mind was very good and I was always thinking I would win the match.

"Here the courts are so heavy and the wind made it difficult to play and concentrate, but the thing is that I won.'' One of those the Chilean might face along his hopeful route to the final is third seeded Australian Jason Stoltenberg, who announced his intentions by blasting out Tomas Zib of the Czech Republic.

Behind a laser serve, the 30-year-old Aussie created holes in Zib's return game, needing just over an hour to record a first round 6-4, 6-2 victory.

"I got a good start and held out that first set on serve after trading breaks at the beginning,'' said Stoltenberg.

"The key was to get an early break in the second set because it was really humid -- not hot, but humid -- and the balls were big. So the combination of those two things made it very difficult. It was hard to keep the points short, there were some long rallies ... four and two sounds easy, but it wasn't an easy match.'' Photos by Tony Cordeiro No sweat: Australian Jason Stoltenberg cruised into the second round with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Tomas Zib of the Czech Republic.