Despite getting a first-round bye and the tournament’s fourth seeding, Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal was bounced in his opening match at the ASB Classic on Monday in Auckland.
Daniel Altmaier of Germany needed two hours, 31 minutes to edge the Canadian 7-6 (9) and 7-5 on centre court at ASB Tennis Arena.
Montreal native Auger-Aliassime, who has not played singles since the Paris Masters last fall, finished the ATP 250 Series match with nine aces, 54 service points won, and two double faults.
Altmaier, who hasn’t done well in the past on hard-court surfaces, had five aces, four double faults and 60 service points won.
WATCH l Germany’s Daniel Altmaier defeats Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime:
Germany’s Daniel Altmaier defeats fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal 7-6 (9), 7-5 and advances to the quarterfinals of the ABC Classic.
Auger-Aliassime had 18 unforced errors, while Altmaier had 15,
Altmaier will play the winner of Monday’s later match between Arthur Fils of France and Nuno Borges of Portugal.
Top-seeded American Ben Shelton bucked a trend when he beat Fabian Marozsan 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals.
Fifth-seeded Chris Eubanks went out in the first round as did Gael Monfils — who lost to Marozsan — Roberto Bautista Agut, Denis Shapovalov and defending champion Richard Gasquet.
Third-seeded Francisco Cerundolo, seventh-seeded Sebastian Ofner and eighth-seeded Max Purcell all lost in the second round.
WATCH | Shapovalov returns to the court after knee injury:
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Playing in his first match since July 2023 due to an ongoing knee issue, Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., falls to seventh seed Sebastian Ofner of Austria 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the ASB Classic. The Canadian struggled with his serve and finished the match with 11 double faults.
