Day 1 Results, ASB Classic: Defending champion Sandgren, Paire and Hurkacz all through

Sandgren opened his title defence by easing past Kiwi wildcard entry Michael Venus.

The American who won his maiden ATP crown 12 months ago defeating Cameron Norrie in the final claimed his first tour win since the US Open in victory as well and will now have a clash with John Isner to look forward to.

Norrie wasn't so lucky as he fell to Thiago Moura Monteiro as he couldn't bring the form he showed at times in the ATP Cup alongside the Great Britain squad who fell at the Quarter-Final stage.

The latter will now play Benoit Paire who defeated Italian ace Jannik Sinner 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 with the latter without much match practice after winning the Next Gen ATP Finals last year.

Speaking of the ATP Cup, Hubert Hurkacz also advanced picking up where he left off at the recent ATP Cup claiming victory over Italian, Lorenzo Sonego 7-5, 6-3.

Ugo Humbert also fought past Caspur Ruud in a tight tussle which finished 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 and he will next face Radu Albot or Marco Cecchinato.