BUCARAMANGA, January 28, 2016

Nicolas Kicker ends the 10 match win streak of third seed Facundo Bagnis on Wednesday at the $50,000 Claro Open in Bucaramanga, saving two match points to advance 6-3, 4-6, 7-6. Kicker capitalized on five of his 10 break points to reach the second round in two hours and 32 minutes to meed Jordi Samper-Montana next. The world number 197 from Spain defeated 18-year-old US-American wild card Tommy Paul 6-3 , 6-3 in one hour and 16 minutes.

“It was a complicated and tough match, playing three sets but I am happy to be through to the next round”, told Kicker.

Second seed Paolo Lorenzi had to go the distance, winning 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 over Andrej Martin. In the pair’s first tour meeting, the world number 57 from Italy won 75% of his first service points and converted three of his 11 break point chances to prevail in two hours and 17 minutes. Lorenzi will take on Argentine Guido Andreozzi next.

The tournament’s number seven Horacio Zeballos also made it to the second round through a 7-6, 7-5 victory over Nicolas Jarry. The 30-year-old from Argentina hit seven aces and won 83% of his first service points to close the encounter after one hour and 42 minutes. Zeballos will play fellow countryman Facundo Arguello next, who benefited from the retirement of Nicolas Barrientos leading 7-5, 1-0.