David Ferrer's final appearance in Auckland has ended in disappointing fashion, as he was forced to pull out of his second-round match with a calf injury.
The Spaniard couldn't overcome the injury, with the score at 1-1 in the first set against compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta.
He twisted his leg while hitting a crosscourt forehand and tried to continue, before hobbling off centrecourt and calling it quits.
Ferrer received a standing ovation at the tournament and before leaving the court, was honoured with a special presentation, and given a guard of honour by fans and staff as he left the venue.
"I'm disappointed that I can't finish my last match here in Auckland, but I am positive, because I've played here 14 years and have very good memories of the fans who have always supported me," he said.
"But don't worry, because I've had very good memories here - I'm very proud."
Ferrer was in his 14th tournament at Auckland, having won four titles in the City of Sails, his first in 2007, before claiming three-straight between 2011-13.
In October, the 36-year-old announced that 2019 would be his last year as a professional, ending an illustrious career that saw him ranked third in the world during his prime years.
Meanwhile, New Zealander Rubin Statham was beaten in straight sets by Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany.
The 31-year-old Statham went down 6-2 6-1 a day after upsetting world number 25 Chung Hyeon of South Korea.
Struff will face fourth seed Busta in the quarter-finals.
Other quarter-final match-ups include Argentinian Leonardo Mayer facing American Tennys Sandgren, while second seed Italian Fabio Fognini takes on 2008 ASB champion Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany.
Ex-pat Kiwi Cam Norrie takes on American rising star Taylor Fritz in the fourth quarter-final.
All four matches will take place on Thursday.
Newshub.
