Overview
- Jakub Mensik beat Sebastián Báez 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) in the ASB Classic final, leaning on a dominant serve that produced multiple aces.
- The 20‑year‑old Czech, ranked No. 18, closed out the title after a tight second‑set tiebreak that erased Báez’s set points.
- Earlier in Auckland, Báez completed a rain‑delayed quarterfinal to upset world No. 8 Ben Shelton 7-5, 6-3, becoming the first Argentine to defeat Shelton.
- Hours later, Báez defeated Marcos Giron 6-1, 6-4 to reach his 12th ATP final, extending his season-opening win streak to seven before the defeat to Mensik.
- Báez now turns to the Australian Open, where he is slated to face France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round.