
The 2026 ASB Classic continues onto the second week with the men's event taking centre stage between 12-17 January, 2026.
Gael Monfils will return for one final time to play this event as he will retire at the turn of the year. It is the 48th edition of the men's event which has taken less precedence than the women's event despite being around for a lot longer.
It attracts a good field for a middle week tournament with Ben Shelton, Casper Ruud, Jakub Mensik, Luciano Darderi, Cameron Norrie, Alex Michelsen among those involved. It is one of the last events before the Australian Open.
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Schedule/Results ASB Classic
Final
| Date/time | Result | |||
| 17-1 2:00 | Sebastian Baez | v | Jakub Mensik | 3-6, 6-7 |
Semi-Finals
| Date/time | Result | |||
| 16-1 4:30 | Sebastian Baez | v | Marcos Giron | 7-6, 4-6, 6-1 |
| 16-1 2:30 | Jakub Mensik | v | Fabian Marozsan | 6-1, 6-4 |
Quarter-Finals
| Date/time | Result | |||
| 15-1 1:00 | Ben Shelton | v | Sebastian Baez | 7-5, 6-3 |
| 14-1 23:30 | Luciano Darderi | v | Marcos Giron | 6-1, 5-7, 4-6 |
| 15-1 6:30 | Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard | v | Jakub Mensik | 4-6, 2-6 |
| 15-1 2:30 | Eliot Spizzirri | v | Fabian Marozsan | 4-6, 6-2, 2-6 |
Second Round
| Date/time | Result | |||
| 13-1 23:30 | Ben Shelton | v | Francisco Comesana | 7-5, 6-4 |
| 13-1 1:00 | Jenson Brooksby | v | Sebastian Baez | 5-7, 0-6 |
| 13-1 1:00 | Luciano Darderi | v | Alejandro Tabilo | 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 |
| 13-1 23:30 | Marcos Giron | v | Alex Michelsen | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 13-1 2:30 | Cameron Norrie | v | Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard | 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 |
| 13-1 7:30 | Hamed Medjedovic | v | Jakub Mensik | 1-6, 6-3, 3-6 |
| 13-1 2:30 | Nuno Borges | v | Eliot Spizzirri | 6-7, 4-6 |
| 13-1 6:00 | Fabian Marozsan | v | Casper Ruud | 6-4, 6-4 |
First Round
| Date/time | Result | |||
| Ben Shelton BYE | ||||
| 12-1 2:20 | Francisco Comesana | v | Valentin Royer | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 12-1 1:45 | Jenson Brooksby | v | James Watt | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 12-1 7:45 | Emilio Nava | v | Sebastian Baez | 6-4, 5-7, 3-6 |
| Luciano Darderi BYE | ||||
| 12-1 23:30 | Alejandro Tabilo | v | Camilo Ugo Carabelli | 6-4, 6-2 |
| 13-1 2:55 | Alexandre Muller | v | Marcos Giron | 2-6, 2-6 |
| 13-1 0:10 | Mariano Navone | v | Alex Michelsen | 6-2, 2-6, 5-7 |
| 12-1 6:10 | Cameron Norrie | v | Hugo Gaston | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 13-1 1:00 | Roberto Bautista Agut | v | Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard | 3-6, 6-7 |
| 13-1 4:20 | Hamad Medjedovic | v | Alexander Kovacevic | 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 |
| Jakub Mensik BYE | ||||
| 13-1 8:35 | Nuno Borges | v | Tomas Martin Etcheverry | 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 |
| 13-1 7:00 | Adrian Mannarino | v | Eliot Spizzirri | 4-6, 3-6 |
| 13-1 6:05 | Fabian Marozsan | v | Gael Monfils | 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 |
| Casper Ruud BYE |
Entry List ASB Classic ATP
| Seed | Player | Ranking |
| 1 | Ben Shelton | 9 |
| 2 | Casper Ruud | 12 |
| 3 | Jakub Mensik | 19 |
| 4 | Luciano Darderi | 26 |
| 5 | Cameron Norrie | 27 |
| 6 | Alex Michelsen | 38 |
| 7 | Lorenzo Sonego | 39 |
| 8 | Alexandre Muller | 42 |
| Sebastian Baez | 45 | |
| Nuno Borges | 47 | |
| Camilo Ugo Carabelli | 49 | |
| Fabian Marozsan | 51 | |
| Jenson Brooksby | 53 | |
| Valentin Royer | 58 | |
| Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard | 59 | |
| Tomas Martin Etcheverry | 60 | |
| Francisco Comesana | 61 | |
| Aleksandar Kovacevic | 62 | |
| Gael Monfils | (WC) | |
| Stan Wawrinka | (WC) |
Draw ASB Classic ATP
Ben Shelton [1] v Bye
Francisco Comesana v Valentin Royer
Jenson Brooksby v James Watt [WC]
Qualifier v Sebastian Baez [7]
Luciano Darderi [4] v Bye
Alejandro Tabilo [WC] v Camilo Ugo Carabelli
Alexandre Muller v Marcos Giron [SE]
Mariano Navone v Alex Michelsen [6]
Cameron Norrie [5] v Qualifier
Roberto Bautista Agut [WC] v Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
Qualifier v Aleksandar Kovacevic
Bye v Jakub Mensik [3]
Nuno Borges [8] v Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Adrian Mannarino v Qualifier
Fabian Marozsan v Gael Monfils
Bye v Casper Ruud [2]
Predictions
Samuel Gill, Head Editor for TennisUpToDate.com sees Casper Ruud or Jakub Mensik as likely champions.
Reason being in this case is that for both Ruud and Mensik, they have played this past week in United Cup so both are very much accustomed to the new season.
Others perhaps less so. I think Gael Monfils is also pencilled in for a good run given it'll be that fairytale aspect of his final year and also he is in Auckland with his wife Elina Svitolina. So having her on site could be the boost that he does in fact need to find his form.
*** Casper Ruud
** Jakub Mensik, Cameron Norrie
* Ben Shelton, Gael Monfils, Alex Michelsen
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Lucas Michael, Editor for TennisUpToDate.com sees Shelton rising to the challenge.
The ASB Classic is always a popular event for players to finetune their skills ahead of the highly anticipated Australian Open, with the motivation of a coveted title to win first in New Zealand.
For this honour, I am going to lean towards Ben Shelton. He continued to make strides in the sport over 2025, clinching his maiden Masters 1000 title and qualifying for the ATP Finals. I can see him taking that next step in 2026 and regularly challenge the big dogs in the sport.
This was something Casper Ruud has done in the past. The former world number two is still a dangerous player, and it will not surprise me if he goes on a deep run. The same being said for Jakub Mensik. It will be interesting to see the condition he is in after an injury-stricken period of time.
Other honourable mentions include the returning to form Cameron Norrie who I believe could have a very enjoyable run in Auckland. Also, last year’s winner Gael Monfils deserves a shoutout. In his final year on tour, he will be wanting to go out with a bang.
*** Ben Shelton
** Casper Ruud, Cameron Norrie
*Jakub Mensik, Alex Michelsen, Gael Monfils
While Casper Ruud is on the mind of editor Cristhian Avila for TennisUpToDate.com.
Ben Shelton – the top seed – still has to prove whether he can bounce back from a difficult end of the year, with three consecutive losses at the ATP Finals and some physical issues. Casper Ruud starts as the favourite – a player who doesn’t need much time to gain confidence, and whose United Cup experience will help him arrive with good match rhythm. The Norwegian can take a step forward in terms of hierarchy at the start of the year, where a clear mind often matters more than just tennis skills.
Cameron Norrie is another who can take advantage of his experience and comes in with good confidence from last season. If he is physically fit, he’s a name to consider, as is the Czech Jakub Mensik, who will need to demonstrate his top-20 level if he wants to fight for the title.
***Casper Ruud
**Cam Norrie, Ben Shelton, Jakub Mensik
*Jenson Brooksby

Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!
mandoist12-11-2026 - Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.
mandoist12-11-2026 - I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
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mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!
mandoist09-11-2026 - "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?
mandoist09-11-2026 - Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.
mandoist08-11-2026 - Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026








