Prakash Amritraj prevailed over qualifier Izak Van Der Merwe in a fiercely fought opening round match to advance to the second round of the US $50,000 ATP Challenger series event in Champaign, USA.

The unseeded Indian Davis Cupper came from behind to pip his South African opponent 6-74), 6-4, 7-6(4) in the opening round of the hardcourt event.

Prakash will next take on Australian giant-killer Carseten Ball, who stunned top seed and local favourite Vincent Spadea in his opening encounter.

In the doubles event, Somdev Devvarman and Izak beat Kiwi-American combination of Gd Jones and Connor Roth 6-1, 3-6, 10-8 to advance to the second round.

However, it was curtains for Indian duo of Ashutosh Singh and Harsh Mankad. They lost their opening round match 6-7(6), 7-6(6), 6-10 to the American pair of Brian and Dann Battistone.