Mpetshi Perricard withdraws from Auckland tournament

After his first tournament of the season in Brisbane, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard will not be returning to Auckland.

Initially announced as a participant in the New Zealand tournament, the 21-year-old Frenchman was due to face Bu Yunchaokete in the first round, but ultimately opted to withdraw.

The Australian Open top seed prefers to rest up for the first Grand Slam of the season, which kicks off on January 12.

In the Auckland draw, Facundo Diaz Acosta replaces him and the Argentine will face Cameron Norrie in his opening match. Francisco Comesana will face Nishesh Basavareddy.

Semi-finalist in Brisbane for his comeback tournament, Mpetshi Perricard dominated Nick Kyrgios, Frances Tiafoe and Jakub Mensik in the first three rounds before falling to a very solid Reilly Opelka.

These performances will enable him to reach the top 30 when the new ATP rankings are published on Monday January 6.