Frenchman Richard Gasquet’s defeat at the hands of talented youngster Arthur Fils during the Auckland Classic on Tuesday brought to an end the veteran´s streak of more than 18 years in the world´s top 100.
The 19-year-old Fils registered a comprehensive 6-3, 6-4 win against the 37-year-old Gasquet, who stayed for 956 consecutive weeks in the top 100, reaching the highest number of seven in July 2007.
Gasquet won Auckland title 12 months ago and was defending the points, so the first-round defeat will push him below 76th in the world when new rankings are published next week.
Fils, who has a quality serve and notched up nine aces, broke at 2-2 in the first set and at 1-1 in the second and praise Gasquet as he exited the court.
"He´s a great champion. He did an unbelievable career so I´m really happy to play on the court with him," said Fils, who reached the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Open last week.
"But it was a nice match for my part and I´m really happy."
In other matches, Canada´s Denis Shapovalov looked rusty in his first match since Wimbledon last year, going down against Austria´s Sebastian Ofner 6-4, 6-2.
Roberto Bautista Agut lost to fellow Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4, 6-4 and eighth seed Max Purcell of Australia overcame New Zealand´s 716th-ranked wildcard Kiranpal Pannu 6-4, 6-4.
Ben Shelton, Cameron Norrie, Francisco Cerundolo and Felix Auger-Aliassime, who are the top four seeds, all received first-round byes.