(Adelaide) Quebec tennis player Félix Auger-Aliassime was eliminated in the first round of the Adelaide International on Monday in Australia.

Second seed of the tournament and sixth player in the world, Auger-Aliassime was defeated by Australian Alexei Popyrin, a player from the qualifications, in two sets, 6-4, 7-6 (5). It was the 22-year-old Canadian’s first tournament this season, two weeks before the start of the Australian Open.

Last week, he was named Canada’s Most Outstanding Male Athlete of 2022 by The Canadian Press.

Alexei Popyrin, who is at 120e ranked in the ATP World Rankings, scored 11 aces during the match and came from behind in the second set, erasing a 1-4 deficit.

For his part, Novak Djokovic lost his doubles match – despite the cheers of the crowd.

The holder of 21 career Grand Slam titles was expelled from Australia a year ago due to his COVID-19 vaccination status, at a time when the country was enforcing strict vaccination and quarantine rules .

The Serb and his Vancouver playing partner Vasek Pospisil lost 4-6 6-3 (10-5) to Tomislav Brkic and Gonzalo Escobar.

Djokovic will start his singles season on Tuesday against Constant Lestienne ahead of the Australian Open, where he will covet a 10e career title.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka overthrew Denmark’s Holger Rune 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

On the women’s side, Czech Linda Noskova caused one of the first upsets of 2023, beating world No. 8 Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-3 in the first round.

The 18-year-old Noskova advanced to the main draw at the WTA tournament for only the fifth time in her career. The 102e world racket had never faced, let alone disposed of, a player from the top 10 global. She was 0-2 against players from the top 20 before this confrontation.

His most significant victory so far had been achieved against the 38e world player Alizé Cornet, in the second round of the Prague tournament last July.

She will now face the winner of the match between local favorite Priscilla Hon and American Claire Liu.

Then, at the end of the day, the fourth seed Veronika Kudermetova defeated American Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 6-0.

Canadian Denis Shapovalov is also registered with the Adelaide International. The Ontarian and his American playing partner Sebastian Korda ousted Japan’s Taro Daniel and Nishioka 6-3, 6-4.

Shapovalov will begin his singles run on Tuesday against Australia’s Rinky Hijikata.