ASB Classic: Denis Shapovalov suffers early exit in Auckland

At least, he made it to centre court, but Denis Shapovalov's ASB Classic stay was a short one, after he was sent packing by Portugal's Joao Sousa.

Monday's feature centrecourt first-round match was a good one, with Sousa rallying from a set down to triumph over the Canadian tennis prodigy 4-6 6-4 6-4.

Shapovalov's exit came mere hours after star attraction Gael Monfils withdrew from the tournament before he hit a ball, citing a thigh injury suffered while practising on Sunday.

Tournament wild card Tomas Berdych and defending champion Roberto Bautista Agut pulled out of the Classic on the weekend, after reaching the final of the Doha event.

Monday's action also saw wins for ex-pat Kiwi Cameron Norrie, Jan-Lennard Struff, Taylor Fritz, Matteo Berrettini and the aptly named Tennys Sandgren.

Tuesday's play commences at noon, with eighth-seeded American Steve Johnson taking on Argentine Leonardo Mayer.

Other singles matchups include ASB Classic regulars David Ferrer and Robin Haase, Kiwi Rubin Statham against sixth seed Hyeon Chung and Ugo Humbert from France taking on Pablo Cuevas.

The Chilean replacing Monfils in the main draw.

Former champion Philipp Kohlschreiber will also be seen in the second round after comfortably dispatching American Bradley Klahn.

The German winning in straight sets 6-4 7-6.

Newshub.