Jakub Mensik won the second title of his career by beating a red-hot Sebastian Baez 6-3, 7-6(7) in the ASB Classic final on Saturday afternoon. Mensik came back from 6-3 down in the second-set tiebreaker to triumph after one hour and 22 minutes.
“I would say it’s been a great start to the year,” the 20-year-old Czech commented. “I’m super happy that after my preparation and preseason, when obviously you are not in the rhythm and you are coming for the new season with a lot of energy, I showed the performance that I wanted. I’m super happy for the win.”
Mensik’s first title came at the Masters 1000 level, when he upset Novak Djokovic in the 2025 Miami final.
Baez had previously been a perfect 7-0 to start the season.
At the Adelaide International, Tomas Machac held off Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-2 — also securing his second ATP title.
“I kept the focus in the third set and kept the level of my tennis very high in the third set,” the 25-year-old Czech explained. “I started to play a little more aggressively and served well. I am very glad that after my injuries I can be in this moment with the trophy and with a great level of tennis.”
Humbert is now 7-4 lifetime in ATP finals.
Both Machac and Humbert can now look ahead to rough first-round matchups at the Australian Open against Grigor Dimitrov and Ben Shelton, respectively.
tough draws
And as said previously, all changes now ove r5 sets Baez /Humbert/Machac are players who can play brilliant one week… then lose first round next day.
Saying that, watch them go to the second week now…Shelton was not impressive his last match, but probably justnwante dto get some practise and lose early, could be wrong
I got both my brackets in at the last minute, a lot of indecision , but some fascinating battles ahead