The Kiwi doubles battle at the Australian Open has been cut short by injury, when Artem Sitak was forced to retire in his clash against compatriot Marcus Daniell.
In the opening round of men's doubles, Daniell and Danish partner Freddie Nielsen were drawn against fellow New Zealander Sitak and Russia's Aslan Karatsev.
Daniell and Nielsen took the first set 6-2, but play was hampered, when Sitak suffered a groin injury.
The 35-year-old needed treatment at the end of the first set, but was unable to continue into a second and retired hurt.
The win sees Daniell and Nielsen through to the second round, where they'll face the second-seeded pair of Briton Joe Salisbury and American Rajeev Ram.
Daniell will join Olympic bronze medal-winning partner Michael Venus at the next stage.
Sixth-seeded Venus and German partner Tim Putz defeated the American duo of Frances Tiafoe and Nicholas Monroe in their opening match, and are next drawn against Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena and Frenchman Hugo Gaston.
Venus will also contest the mixed doubles with Kiwi Erin Routliffe, and the pair are through to the second round, after rallying from a set down to beat Australians Lizette Cabrera and Alex Bolt 7-6 (5), 7-5, 13-11.
Venus will face his men's doubles partner in the second round, when he and Routliffe take on the fourth-seeded pairing of Putz and Alexa Guarachi.
