Mensik Defeats Baez for ASB Classic Title

Jakub Mensik was running out of gas.

The 20-year-old Czech had dominated Sebastian Baez for a set and a half, but when he had a chance to serve for the title on Saturday in Auckland, he faltered. Then, moments later, he was down 6-3 in the tiebreak and facing a potential third set against a player who has started the season hot, winning each of his first seven matches.

The Czech called checkmate after that. Perhaps he realized just how difficult a third set was going to be against the indefatigable Argentine, so he dialed in his very best tennis and made one final push, winning five of the final six points to close out a 6-3, 7-6(7) truimph.

With his win Mensik becomes the youngest ASB Classic champion since Juan Martin del Potro raised the title in 2009. We all remember what Del Potro did later that year, don’t we?

In case you need a memory jog, he defeated Roger Federer in the US Open final, and stands as the last South American man to win a major singles title. Epic indeed.

Maybe it’s not Mensik’s time to create such heroics yet, but it’s a great start to the season for the man who won the Miami Masters title in 2025. The 6’5″ bomb server with an exquisite backhand wasn’t perfect all the time this week in Auckland, but he always found solutions, even when he was in trouble, and that bodes well for his future.

And don’t sleep on Baez. His surging start to the season points to a big season as well.

More to follow…