Andy Murray’s first match of 2023 ended in a straight-set loss to American Sebastian Korda at the Adelaide International.
The Briton, 35, ranked 49th in the world, 16 places below his opponent, was beaten 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.
Murray had recovered from a breakdown in the first set to force a tie-break but Korda, 22, took control of that and continued to dominate the second set.
Murray’s compatriot, Briton Kyle Edmund, also left the tournament on Tuesday.
Edmund, who is ranked 582nd in the world but was using a protected ranking to enter the event after a series of injuries, lost 6-3 6-2 to Italy’s sixth seed Jannick Sinner.
Earlier, Novak Djokovic cruised to victory over Frenchman Constant Lestienne in his first singles match on Australian soil since being expelled a year ago.
The 21-time Grand Slam winner from Serbia received a warm welcome when he played a losing a doubles match on Monday and received similar treatment on a packed center court in their 6-3 6-2 win.
“For the first match, I can’t complain, I played really well,” said the 35-year-old, who is now world number five and will be aiming for a record 10th Open men’s singles title. Australia later this month.
“Thank you all for coming today. Thank you for giving me the welcome that I could only wish for.
“If I have to pick one country where I’ve had the most success, treated me the best tennis-wise, it’s here, definitely.”
Djokovic was expelled ahead of Australian Open 2022 due to his Covid-19 vaccination status but three-year visa ban overthrown in Novemberallowing him to enter the country.
Russian Daniil Medvedev, who lost to Djokovic in the 2021 Australian Open final and was beaten by Rafael Nadal in the deciding Grand Slam match 12 months ago, saved nine set points en route to a 7-6 (8-6) 2-1 victory over Italian Lorenzo Sonego, who retired through injury.
