Auckland
Champion in Auckland: Mensik stops Báez and reminds us of Del Potro
The Czech wins 6-3, 7-6(7) saving three set points in the 2nd
January 17, 2026
Dave Rowland/Getty Images
Jakub Mensik wins his second ATP title in Auckland, and first since Miami 2025.
by this ATEDIDE ATP
Jakub Mensik played one of his best serving matches on the ATP Tour this Saturday in the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland. Although he suffered only one break and at the most inopportune moment for his interests – when he won 6-3, 6-5 – the Czech added his second match in straight sets with more aces connected.
He achieved 18 in total on the way to beating Argentine Sebastián Báez 6-3, 7-6(7), to win his second title on the ATP Tour, and first since he was champion at the ATP Masters 1000 in Miami last March.
Precisely in Miami he signed his two-set match with the most aces by hitting 21 in his victory in two tie-breaks against Jack Draper. His serve against Báez was also key to facing the three set points from 3/6 in the tiebreaker of the second set.
At 3/6, Mensik hit a winning volley after a powerful first serve. Then a return winner was scored and, finally, an ace that left the tiebreaker at 6/6. Minutes later, two hours and 22 minutes into the match, the 20-year-old right-hander sealed the victory in his favor to become the youngest champion of the competition since the Argentine Juan Martín del Potro in 2009.
“I would say it’s been a great start to the year,” Mensik said in his on-court interview. “I’m super happy that after my preparation and preseason, when you’re obviously not in rhythm and you come into the new season with a lot of energy, I showed the performance I expected. I’m super happy for the victory.”
For Báez, for his part, a dream week ends that allowed him to temporarily reach a 7-0 record on the year before falling to Mensik. And, despite the defeat and the wasted opportunities, the Argentine played at a high level against an opponent who offered very little with his serve.
In fact, Mensik took the first set after 28 minutes thanks to 11 aces, four of them consecutively at 1-1, and with a very high 95% of points won with the first serve. And although he suffered a break serving for the match and being 3/6 in the tiebreaker, he managed to prevail in straight sets for the second time this week.
“Seb is a great fighter. It’s very difficult to hit him with a winning shot,” Mensik reflected. “When I was up 6-5 in the second set, I had been serving very well the whole match and then I had to use a couple of second serves. He took advantage of the opportunity, and then, in the tie-break, when we were 3/6… I’m glad I managed to keep my concentration and spirit until the end.”
The next challenge for both will be the Australian Open, where the Czech will debut against the Spanish Pablo Carreño Busta. Báez will do it against another great ace server: the Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
The champion duo has also been unprecedented
The doubles final, played before the singles final, was won by Theo Arribage, world No. 53 in the category, and Albano Olivetti, No. 66.
The French have won their second ATP title as a team thanks to Saturday’s 7-6(2), 6-4 victory over Austrian Alexander Erler and American Robert Galloway.
