Argentine tennis players Mariano Navone and Camilo Ugo Carabelli were eliminated in the first round. This occurred at the ATP 250 tournament in Auckland, which serves as a warm-up for the year's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open. According to the Argentine News Agency (NA), the player from 9 de Julio lost to American Alex Michelsen with a score of 6-2, 2-6, 5-7. At the same time, 'Brujo' was unable to withstand Chile's Alejandro Tabilo and lost with a score of 6-4, 6-2. 'Nave' started the match against the American at a high level and confidently won the first set, which indicated an imminent victory. However, Michelsen quickly recovered, winning the second set with the same result, and introduced uncertainty into the Argentine's game. By the third set, 'albiceleste' was obliged to win to continue their fight in New Zealand's main tournament. The third set began in a tough battle, with neither player willing to concede. Both athletes held their serve until the twelfth game had to be played with the American leading 6-5. Michelsen did not miss his chance and confidently finished the match at 40-0, eliminating the 24-year-old Argentine ATP player, ranked 74th. As for Ugo Carabelli, he looked pale against Chile's Tabilo and was far from offering resistance, especially in the second set, which ultimately decided his fate. After Tabilo broke Navone's serve in the fifth game of the first set and held his own to take the lead, the second set became a demonstration of the Chilean's dominance, securing him the victory.
