Tuesday was not a good one for Auckland’s ATP 250 seeded groups, with the removal of both favorites who went into the court to make their debut in the event. The initial of them to drop was the American John Isner, the sixth ideal rated for the title, that even went ahead of the French quali Gregoire Barrere, yet took the turnaround with a last rating of 6/7 (3-7), 7/ 6 (7-5) as well as 6/3.
Later it was the turn of the Argentine Sebastian Baez to say goodbye to the competition. The number 7 seed had also less chances than Isner and bid farewell without winning even a set, falling to the North American guest Ben Shelton with partials of 7/6 (7-1) as well as 6/1.
After dominating his first triumph of the year as well as only the fourth of his career at ATP degree, Shelton, 20 years old and presently 92nd worldwide, will determine forces with Frenchman Quentin Halys, that defeated Slovakian Alex Molcan with partials of 6/3 as well as 6/4. On the other hand, Barrere will certainly encounter a 100% French battle with Constant Lestienne.
Coming from the quali, the American Christopher Eubanks required 2 tiebreaks to overthrow the French guest Ugo Humbert, scoring 7/6 (7-4) and 7/6 (7-3) to get to the 2nd stage and also deal with the Belgian David Goffin battle for a place in the quarterfinals.
One More North American who underwent the first round in Auckland this Tuesday was Marcos Giron, responsible for removing the Argentine lucky-loser Federico Coria with a comeback triumph, closing the game with partials of 6/7 (5-7), 6/ 4 as well as 7/5. His following opponent will certainly be compatriot JJ Wolf, browbeater of Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, eighth favored in the competition.
