SIMON MAKES EARLY SYDNEY EXIT, CHUNG IMPRESSES IN AUCKLAND

Simon makes early Sydney exit, Chung awes in Auckland 

Previous champion Gilles Simon was an unexpected first-round setback at the Sydney Universal on Tuesday as he was beaten by Jared Donaldson. 

Simon's fortunes had all the earmarks of being on the up after he put a forgettable 2017 behind him by winning the Maharashtra Open title in Pune on Sunday. In any case, the Frenchman – who won the Sydney title in 2011 – returned slamming sensible as Donaldson finished a 6-1 6-4 win. 

Simon was not by any means the only stun exit as eighth seed Mischa Zverev additionally bowed out, the German beaten 7-5 6-3 by Leonardo Mayer. Fernando Verdasco's Australian Open arrangements were additionally stopped as he fell because of Alex de Minaur, the home most loved cruising through in straight sets. 

Benoit Paire joins the young person in cycle two in the wake of originating from a set down to beat Aljaz Bedene, however Tuesday's outstanding matches were casualties of the rain. Substantial showers saw long deferrals to the calendar on day five, which means Ricardas Berankis' match with fifth seed Adrian Mannarino, and Fabio Fognini versus Alexandr Dolgopolov will happen on Wednesday. 

Chung Hyeon's ascent looks set to proceed after he booked a moment round spot at the Auckland Open, the South Korean doing combating past Tennys Sandgren in three sets. 

Chung's stock has been high since lifting the Cutting edge ATP Finals in November, and he demonstrated his character by sparing nine of the 12 break indicates against him set up a conflict with fourth seed John Isner. 

Tuesday additionally observed 6th seed Pablo Cuevas begin his season with a straight-sets prevail upon Taro Daniel, while there were likewise triumphs for Steve Johnson and Jiri Vesely.