It was an emotional night for Daniell, who had declared that this tournament would be his last, after a professional career that began back in 2008.
The 35-year-old was in tears at the end, as the realisation sunk in, after performing in front of friends and family, as well as 6 week old son Rowan.
Daniell and Watt started like a express train, with an incredible first set. They dropped only one point on serve and broke twice, out hitting and out foxing the Spanish duo.
The Europeans were always going to come back, grabbing an early break in the second set. But Daniell and Watt began a revivial - fuelled by some remarkable rallies - to break back and then edge ahead.
They had a chance to serve for the match at 6-5 but Daniell tweaked his calf midway through that game. The Spanish claimed a pivotal point at 30-30, then sealed the break with the next point.
The tiebreak swung. The Kiwis had a mini break at 3-2 - with two serves from Daniell to come - before the Europeans won the next four points, then sealed the set.
Daniell received medical treatement during the break but admitted afterwards it wasn’t right, as he couldn’t take off properly and the Super tiebreak was never in doubt.
But it was a memorable night, in front of a large, vocal crowd and one that will no doubt live in the memory for a long time for Daniell and his family.
9:00pm Jakub Mensik muscles over brave Pablo Carreno Busta
Rising Czech star Jakub Mensik has lived up to the hype, in an impressive 6-2 4-6 7-5 over Pablo Carreno Busta.
The 19-year-old, who is one of only two teenagers in the field, was all power and poise over the gallant Spanaird, who came in as a ‘lucky loser’ after the withdrawal of Alexandre Muller, citing fatigue.
World No 49 Mensik sent down 18 aces, often serving at around 220km/h and also generated remarkable velocity off the ground.
But Carreno Busta stayed in the fight, coming back well in the second set after a one sided opening bracket.
The final set was remained on serve until the 12th game, with Mensik converting his first match point.
He will face top seed Ben Shelton in the second round on Wednesday night.
Comeback complete!
5:11pm Monfils wins 1-6, 7-6, 6-3 after being demolished in the first set and winning the tie-break in the second! He was in control for the third set, though, winning it relatively comfortably to advance to the second round.
The final match point was greeted by a huge cheer from the crowd as the well-loved Frenchman put on a show for those in attendance.
Next up on centre court is Spain’s Pablo Carreno busta against Czech Republic’s Jakub Mensik.
Centre court resurgence
4:58pm Gael Monfils has stormed back into the match and now leads Martinez 5-2 in the third set.
4:44pm It’s all go on centre court, with the third set locked at two games each between Monfils and Martinez, the French fan favourite on serve.
4:21pm And Monfils wins the tie-break 7-5 to a raucous cheer from the crowd! He stays alive in the match and will have a bit of momentum heading into the third set.
Elsewhere Nishesh Basavareddy has beaten Francisco Comesana 6-2, 6-2 to advance and Jan-lennard Struff has beaten Yunchaokete Bu 6-3, 6-4.
Tie-break!
4:09pm The Frenchman has fought back to force a tie-break in the second set, holding his own serve.
Meanwhile, Basavareddy is in control over Comesana and is on the verge of taking the match in straight sets. Struff too is set to advance over Bu on grandstand.
3:47pm Monfils is in danger of exiting in the first round, he trails Martinez 4-2 in the second set.
Basavareddy has taken the first set over Comesana 6-1 and Struff too takes the first set against Bu, 6-3.
3:30pm Martinez cruises to take the first set 6-1, Monfils makes a better start to the second.
Basavareddy leads the first set over Comesana 3-1 and Jan-lennard Struff leads Yunchaokete Bu 4-1 in their first set on grandstand.
3:00pm Monfils goes down 4-1 in the first set with Martinez on a roll.
On court two Mariano Navone has beaten Adrian Mannarino 7-6, 6-7, 6-1.
19-year-old American Nishesh Basavareddy now takes on Argentina’s Francisco Comesana.
Gael Monfils makes first appearance
2:40pm Another fan favourite takes to centre court, the fans will be hoping to see a little more of the Frenchman than Norrie. He takes on Spaniard Pedro Martinez.
On grandstand Lorenzo Sonego has beaten Gabriel Diallo 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 to advance to the second round.
Norrie sent packing in round one
2:22pm No comeback for the former New Zealand representative Cam Norrie. He’s been bounced out in straight sets on centre court by Facundo Diaz Acosta 6-2, 6-3.
The now-Great Britain rep seemed to lose his cool as the match slipped away, throwing his racquet in frustration and hitting a spectator in the front row.
The local fans will be disappointed with that as he was sure to draw big crowds.
Comeback on the cards?
2:00pm Norrie hits back after going down 2-0 and it’s now 3-2 to Diaz Acosta with Norrie on serve.
Wobbles for fan favourite
1:51pm Norrie goes down 2-0 in the second set.
Diallo takes the second set on grandstand over Sonego and they’re now locked at 2-2 in the third.
Norrie loses first set
1:35pm Norrie has three break points over Diaz Acosta but can’t make him pay, the Argentinian holds serve and then breaks Norrie again to take the first set 6-2 in 39 minutes.
Over to the grandstand and Diallo is up 2-1 in the second set after Sonego won the first in a tiebreak 7-6.
1:15pm: Qualifier Luca Nardi has beaten sixth seed and fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli in just 40 minutes after winning the first set 6-2, with Cobolli pulling out at 1-all in the second set due to injury.
Diaz Acosta has broken Norrie and leads the first set 4-2.
12:51pm: Next up, local favourite Cameron Norrie makes his first appearance on centre court. The 29-year-old was raised in Auckland after being born in South Africa. Plenty in attendance to cheer him on.
He’s up against Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina.
Walkover
12:41pm: Nardi upsets the seeding, and takes the first set 6-2 after breaking Cobolli, twice. Cobolli then retires hurt, and sends his compatriot through to the next round in a walkover.
On the outer courts, Sonego takes the first set in a tiebreaker 7-6 (7-5) on the grandstand.
On court two, Navone and Mannarino are locked 5-5 in the first set.
Early scores in
11:58am: On centre court, the all-Italian affair is 2-2 through four games.
On the grandstand court, Sonego holds a 3-2 lead, with Diallo currently serving to level it up. On court two, Mannarino is a break up in the first, and can take a 3-1 advantage if he holds.
Elsewhere
11:42am: On the grandstand court, the unseeded pair of Canada’s Gabriel Diallo and Lorenzo Sonego of Mexico are underway in their round of 32 match.
On court two, Mariano Navone of Argentina and France’s Adrian Mannarino are also up and running.
On centre court, Cobolli holds serve to open his match.
Up first
11:23am: To get us rolling on day two, it’ll be an all-Italian affair. Sixth seed Flavio Cobolli will meet compatriot, qualifier Luca Nardi, on centre court.
Good morning
11:15am: Welcome back to NZ Herald’s live results coverage of the men’s ASB Classic. Yesterday was a great one for the locals, even as Kiwis Isaac Becroft and Michael Venus had contrasting fortunes.
Today shouldn’t be too much different. On centre court, South African-born, Kiwi-raised, British representative Cameron Norrie will get his tournament underway, up against Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina.
Later on tonight, New Zealand’s Marcus Daniell will also begin, as he and doubles partner James Watt face European duo Roberto Carballes Baena and Luciano Darderi.
Day two order of play
Centre Court - start 11.30am
Cameron Norrie (GBR) vs [LL] Facundo Diaz Acosta (ARG)
Pedro Martinez (ESP) vs Gael Monfils (FRA)
Not before 6.30pm
[SE] Alexandre Muller (FRA) vs Jakub Mensik (CZE)
[WC] Marcus Daniell (NZL) / James Watt (NZL) vs Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) / Luciano Darderi (ITA)
Grandstand - start 11:30am
[WC] Gabriel Diallo (CAN) vs Lorenzo Sonego (ITA)
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) vs Yunchaokete Bu (CHN)
Court 2 - start 11:30am
Mariano Navone (ARG) vs [LL] Adrian Mannarino (FRA)
[Q] Nishesh Basavareddy (USA) vs [LL] Francisco Comesana (ARG)
