ASB Classic: Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic book spot in doubles final in Auckland

Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic have produced strong results early into their partnership. Photo / Getty Images

For a new partnership, Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic are already striking gold.

In only their second tournament together, Venus (37) and Mektic (36) are in contention for a title after progressing on Friday to the ASB Classic final.

Both veterans on the circuit, the two had a brief conversation at the 2024 US Open about the possibility of combining this year, before – about a week later – Mektic had decided they should go ahead.

“I needed to find a partner because my partner was retiring,” said Mektic. “My plan was to text him first thing in the morning and I woke up with his message so it was like meant to be and from then on it was easy.

“We’ve been around for quite a similar time and there was never a situation to play with each other. Somehow now I felt like we were both each other’s first choice from what was on the market in the moment, so there it was.”

The Kiwi-Croatian duo have impressed so far. They have complementary skillsets – with the raw power of Venus and the precision of Mektic – and good chemistry off the court. Top seeds for this event, they have gelled quickly, after reaching the quarter-finals in Brisbane last week.

It hasn’t been completely straightforward – with Friday’s 3-6, 6-1, 10-5 semifinal victory over Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti their second consecutive three-set match – but they have been assured when it counts.

Saturday will be a special moment for both. For Mektic, it continues his extraordinary run in Auckland, where he has won the last two doubles titles. For Venus, it’s another chance for success in front of friends and family during his annual opportunity to impress on his home court.

“You know, I look back behind and see so many of my nephews and nieces and my sisters sitting there,” said Venus. “It’s really special for me and I look back on those moments throughout the year. So the longer I can be in the tournament and do well, I can have more of those things.”

This 2025 run has also ended a relative drought for Venus, who hadn’t got beyond the first round here since reaching the 2019 final. The 37-year-old was consistent here before that, lifting the trophy with Mate Pavic in 2016 and making the semifinals in 2012 and 2018.

Friday was a strange match. Venus and Mektic dominated the first set but couldn’t take any of their six break opportunities before Bhambri and Olivetti snared their only chance. The second set was a procession – as Venus and Mektic were completely on top – and they accelerated away in the tiebreak, after a tight start.

On Saturday, Venus will be seeking his 25th career title, in his 48th final.

“We know as a team what we’re trying to execute and how we’re trying to play, and it’s a matter of just trying to get in the right mind space and be ready to go,” said Venus. “We’ll have a game plan of what might work but like all matches, they’ll adjust throughout the match and then we’ll have to make adjustments as well.”

Michael Burgess has been a sports journalist since 2005, winning several national awards and covering Olympics, Fifa World Cups and America’s Cup campaigns.