Shelton Defeats Comesaña: Auckland Quarterfinals Run | ATP Tour

Auckland

Shelton resists Comesaña and advances to the quarterfinals in Auckland

The American has a 12-0 record against Argentine tennis players

January 14, 2026

Ben Shelton is the No. 1 seed in Auckland for the third consecutive year and began his 2026 season by reaching his 23rd quarterfinal on Tour (12-10) this Wednesday after beating Francisco Comesaña 7-5, 6-3 in the ASB Classic.

In fact, Shelton was able to put a shaky start behind him and saved three set points in the first set serving at 4-5. From there, Shelton managed to lower his level of errors and added consistency to close out the victory after one hour and 42 minutes of play.

Meanwhile, the left-hander signed twelve aces and managed to extend his perfect record against Argentines (12-0) and was able to start the season with a victory for the first time since 2022 (quarterfinals in Little Rock CH).

“I felt good, I’m happy to be competing again and I like to start my year in Auckland,” said the winner. “It’s good to have a competitive game, to feel tension in some moments of the game and to be able to give myself the chance to win and play again,” he said.

Shelton has won a trophy in the last two seasons and the American, who was a semi-finalist last year, will try to do so as soon as possible as the main favorite in Auckland. For now, he will look for another place in the semifinals against the Argentine Sebastián Báez, who beat Jenson Brooksby 7-5, 6-0.

The Argentine is 5-0 this season, after playing a decisive role in helping Argentina reach the quarterfinals in the United Cup, adding a total of individual victories (3-0) against Stan Wawrinka, Jaume Munar and Taylor Fritz. Now that inertia has spread on the slopes of New Zealand, with two new victories.

For his part, No. 3 seed Luciano Darderi recovered from 1-6, 1-3 down to turn the match around and sign a victory against Alejandro Tabilo 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals.