Auger-Aliassime, Andreescu knocked out of National Bank Open in 1st round

It was a mixed bag for Canadians at the National Bank Open in Toronto and Montreal on Tuesday, as Leylah Fernandez and Gabriel Diallo — in his first career ATP Tour victory — advanced to the second round while Bianca Andreescu and Felix Auger-Aliassime were each eliminated in straight sets.

Auger-Aliassime lost 6-4, 6-4 to Australia's Max Purcell. The Montreal native — the 10th seed in the tournament and world No. 12 — had five aces, five double faults and went without a single break point opportunity.

Purcell, who entered the tournament as a qualifier, had eight aces to just one double fault. He also broke on two of his four chances.

The Aussie defeated Canadians Peter Polansky and Brayden Schnur — both in straight sets — to make it into the main draw.

Purcell will next face Great Britain's Andy Murray, who defeated Italy's Lorenzo Sonego earlier Tuesday.

WATCH | Auger-Aliassime ousted in Toronto:

Auger-Aliassime, who turned 23 years old on Tuesday, hasn't earned consecutive wins since reaching the Indian Wells quarterfinals in March.

After winning his first four career ATP Tour titles in 2022, Auger-Aliassime has endured struggles on the court this year while dealing with knee pain in recent months.

Purcell jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead in the opening set, winning the last game behind one of his three early aces.

Auger-Aliassime then seemed to find his footing and trimmed the errors, winning two of the next three games.

But Purcell's fifth ace of the set closed a run of four straight points in the final game and won him the set.

Down 4-2 and the crowd cheering him on in hopes of a comeback, Auger-Aliassime forced a deuce with a cross-court forehand winner. After giving up the advantage, the Canadian took it back with an ace followed by an error from Evans.

To the delight of the Sobeys Stadium crowd, he fired another ace to make it a one-game set.

After giving up the next game on an error, Auger-Aliassime quickly came back to make it a 5-4 set with yet another ace.