Sam Groth, Rajeev Ram continue winning ways in Bogota

Sam Groth and Rajeev Ram built on their respective heroics from last week, earning first-round wins at the Claro Open Colombia on Wednesday.

Groth helped Australia come from 2-0 down in their Davis Cup World Group quarter-final against Kazakhstan in Darwin, winning sudden-death doubles and singles rubbers for his country.

Seeded sixth in Bogota, Groth earned a 7-5 4-6 7-5 win over Guido Pella to book a second-round date with Czech veteran Radek Stepanek.

Ram's second title victory in Newport on Sunday has given him a new lease on his tennis career, and he made it six match wins in succession with a 6-4 3-6 6-3 triumph over local hope Alejandro Falla.

Falla's fellow Colombian, wildcard Daniel Elahi Galan had more fortune - the teenager winning in what was his first main-draw match on the ATP World Tour.

Galan's match against Pere Riba began on Tuesday, with the Spaniard carrying a 4-3 first-set lead into Wednesday - after rain had prevented them from playing on at the ATP 250 hard-court tournament.

But Galan earned a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 victory, the world number 607 advancing to a second-round date with 2013 champion and top seed Ivo Karlovic.

Michael Berrer ousted eighth seed James Ward 6-4 6-7 (7-9) 7-5, while Colombian qualifier Alejandro Gomez upset fifth seed Marcos Baghdatis 6-3 0-6 7-6 (7-3).