Launceston TAS, Australia, 5 February 2018 | David Packman

Victorian Marc Polmans made his way into the second round of the Smart Fibre Launceston International on Monday after second seed Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan was forced to retire.

“It was good to get the win this morning,” Polmans said after the match concluded with him ahead 6-4 3-0. “The first set was pretty close, I knew it was big so it was good to get it.”

“After that, I could see he was concerned about something. I saved a few break points in the first game of the second set which was massive, so I was able to fend that of and then get a break the next game. That was basically it.”

Reaching a career-high world No.175 midway through last year, but now slipping outside the top 300, the 20-year-old is looking for a bright start to 2018.

“This is a bit of a confidence booster for me,” he said. “Nishioka is a good player, he won a round at the Australian Open this year.

“The courts and the conditions here suit me too, so I know I can play some good tennis. Now I just have to try and keep it up.”

Polmans awaits the winner of Tasmanian wildcard Harry Bourchier and Kiwi Rubin Statham.

Elsewhere, top seed Marcel Granollers of Spain was also in action, overcoming a slow start to eliminate New South Welshman Max Purcell 6-7(4) 6-2 6-3.

In the final round of men’s qualifying, Ben Mitchell overcame rising American teen Ulises Blanch 6-4 6-7(4) 7-5 while Marinko Matosevic also progressed to the main draw, defeating Japan’s Renta Tokuda in three sets.

Mitchell next faces No.6 seed Alex Bolt in all-Aussie affair while Matosevic plays Brit Brydan Klein. American Alexander Sarkissian waits in the wings beyond that after he upset fellow American and eighth seed Christian Harrison on Monday.

Live scores of all Australian Pro Tour events are available through www.tennis.com.au/protour/scores and for a live stream of selected events visit www.tennis.com.au/protour.