Zagreb, Croatia: Defending champion Marin Cilic of Croatia eased into the second round of the Zagreb Indoors on Monday, while Benjamin Becker of Germany had to save seven match points before advancing.
The fifth-seeded Cilic beat fellow Croat Mate Delic 6-4, 6-4 in just 71 minutes, clinching the win with four aces in the last game.
Cilic said his "serve was just great today, it sure helped ease the pressure."
In Monday's other match, Becker beat Jesse Huta Galung 6-7 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (6) despite the Dutchman leading 5-3, 40-0 in the third set.