Three of the top four seeds have advanced to the Auckland quarterfinals, including Ben Shelton and Jakub Mensik. They will go up against Sebastian Baez and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, respectively, on Thursday.
(1) Ben Shelton vs. (7) Sebastian Baez
Shelton and Baez will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time at the ASB Classic when they battle for a semifinal spot on Thursday afternoon. They previously faced each other during first-round action in 2023, when Shelton cruised 7-6(1), 6-1. The eighth-ranked American kicked off his 2026 campaign on Wednesday by beating another Argentine, Francisco Comesana, in straight sets.
Baez is absolutely on fire to begin the year. The world No. 39 went undefeated at the United Cup with victories over Jaume Munar, Taylor Fritz, and Stan Wawrinka, and so far this week he has defeated Emilo Nava and Jenson Brooksby. Past results, however, bode well for Shelton. The 23-year-old is a much better player than he was when he beat Baez in 2023 and this is basically the same matchup for him as what Comesana brought to the table in round two.
Pick: Shelton in 2
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs. (3) Jakub Mensik
Mpetshi Perricard is looking like the most dangerous unseeded floater at the Australian Open along with Hubert Hurkacz. The 22-year-old, who is No. 63 the world, can be lethal every time he takes the court thanks to his booming serve. And he is playing well right now, too. Mpetshi Perricard is coming off a quarterfinal appearance in Brisbane and finds himself in the Auckland quarters after ousting Roberto Bautista Agut (in a second-set tiebreaker) and Cameron Norrie (in a third-set tiebreaker).
Up next for the Frenchman is a third meeting with Mensik, who has lost both of their previous encounters. Mpetshi Perricard prevailed 13-11 in a third-set ‘breaker at the 2023 Poznan Challenger before scoring a 7-5, 7-6(5) victory 12 months ago in Brisbane. Mensik is a modest 2-2 so far this season and the 18th-ranked Czech is coming off a tough three-setter against Hamad Medjedovic on Wednesday. This is another nice opportunity for Mpetshi Perricard in this particular matchup.
Pick: Mpetshi Perricard in 3
WWW?
Ben in an exciting 3; GMP also in 3