After a great finish to 2022, Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime opened the new year with an early exit at the Adelaide International in Australia.
The world No. 6, from Montreal, lost 6-4, 7-6 (5) against Australian qualifier Alexei Popyrin on Monday.
Popyrin is ranked 120th in the world.
Auger-Aliassime, seeded second at the event, vaulted up the rankings by winning his first four career tournaments last year. He also led Canada to a Davis Cup title.
Auger-Aliassime was voted Canadian Press male athlete of the year for 2022.
