Algarve and Portugal No1 Rui Machado is finding life tough amongst the world’s tennis elite.
Following his first round exit to eventual finalist Gael Monfils in Doha the 27-year-old lost out 6-3, 7-6 to sixth seed Thomaz Bellucci following their opening match in Auckland.
Ranked No68, Machado will now hope for a better showing at the Australian Open which begins this Monday.
