Britain's Cameron Norrie in an action against Frenchman Beniot Paire during the ASB Classic in Auckland on Monday — Internet AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jan 07 (Agencies): Denis Shapovalov opened his season with a loss on Monday, falling to Joao Sousa 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the ASB Classic.
The seventh-seeded Canadian, who is considered to be a rising star on the ATP Tour, made 78 unforced errors and finished with eight double-faults. Sousa had 46 unforced errors.
Meanwhile, Britain's Cameron Norrie reached the second round of the ASB Classic in Auckland with a swift straight-sets win over Frenchman Beniot Paire.
The 23-year-old took just 58 minutes to win 6-3 6-2 against Paire, ranked 38 places above world number 93 Norrie.
Norrie, who alongside Katie Boulter stunned Americans Serena Williams and Frances Tiafoe in the Hopman Cup last week, faces Portugal's Joao Sousa next.
Gael Monfils became the third big name to pull out of the ATP Auckland Classic on Monday sidelined by injury while seventh seed Denis Shapovalov was bundled out in three sets.
Monfils, the eighth seed, said he was hampered by a niggling pain in the leg.
His withdrawal followed the absence of top seeds Tomas Berdych and Roberto Bautista-Agut, who both pulled out after contesting the Qatar Open final on Saturday which Bautista Agut won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
The flamboyant Monfils said his injury flared Saturday and had not responded to treatment.
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