Overview
- Jakub Mensik beat Sebastián Báez 6-3, 7-6 (7) in the ASB Classic title match in Auckland.
- The result snapped Báez’s 7-0 start to 2026 that included two wins in one day to reach the final.
- Earlier Friday, Báez finished a rain-delayed quarterfinal to upset No. 8 Ben Shelton 7-5, 6-3, ending Shelton’s 12-0 ATP record against Argentine players.
- Hours later he defeated Marcos Giron 6-1, 6-4 to make his 12th ATP final, an uncommon back-to-back scheduling feat.
- Báez now opens the Australian Open against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, and his Auckland run lifts him to No. 36 in the rankings per live projections reported by local media.