(Auckland) Canadian Denis Shapovalov was eliminated 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the Auckland tournament, against Austrian Sebastian Ofner on Monday.
It was Shapovalov’s first competitive match since July at Wimbledon, having been sidelined since with a knee injury.
Shapovalov had to go through qualifying, but ultimately earned a bye to the main draw of the tournament.
Champion of the tournament in 2016 and 2018, Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut also lost in the first round, 6-4 and 6-3 against his compatriot Roberto Carballes Baena.
Bautista Agut missed much of last season, before returning to action in October.
Bautista Agut got broken in the first game and quickly trailed 4-1.
Bautista Agut broke Carballes Baena in the second game of the second set, but his opponent gave him the same fate to then lead 3-2.
“It’s always difficult to play against Roberto,” Carballes Baena said. He is a good friend and we practice together, it was very difficult. I think I had a good match. I was very aggressive and served very well. »
