This men’s final felt like an ‘I was there’ moment.
In years from now, when the tennis world is talking about Jakub Mensik, we can all remember the day when he triumphed in Auckland.
That is how good the Czech player is – and how good he could become. The 20-year-old Mensik is the 2026 ASB Classic champion, after a 6-3 7-6 defeat of seventh seed Sebastian Baez in 1h22m on Saturday. It is his second ATP title, after his triumph in Miami last year and feels there are many more to come, given how high his ceiling could be.
Mensik is the fifth youngest men’s Auckland champion dating back to 1956, only superseded by Bjorn Borg (1974), Tim Wilkison (1980), Mark Woodforde (1986) and Juan Martin del Potro (2009). He is set for much bigger stages – but was thrilled with his performance on Saturday and across the week, as he got better with each match.
“I’m super happy that after the preseason and the time off, I came back to the tour with a new energy, a new vibe,” said Mensik, as he sipped a recovery drink “I’m happy that I could find a great performance.”
He was also pleased to win here, in front of a crowd that has come to love him.
“Especially with the history of this country and everything, with the [Māori] ceremony at the end of the final, that is something you’re not seeing that often,” said Mensik. ”[At that moment] I just felt the energy…it made me a little bit emotional.”
Mensik, who already has eight wins over top 10 players, is aware of the hype about his trajectory but doesn’t let it go to his head.
“That’s what the others say, I’m focusing on myself,” said Mensik. “I’m trying to improve every week, every match, every tournament. And even after Miami, even after this title, I know that I’m 20 years old, it’s just a beginning and even if I lifted the trophy here, there is so much space for improvement for the next steps in my journey.”
Saturday was another impressive chapter. Up against an opponent who was at the top of his game and on a 7-0 run to start this year, Mensik was imperious.It was built off his serve – with 18 aces – while he won 95 per cent of the points when his first serve landed.
“Over the tournament I felt more confident,” said Mensik.“So actually today I felt best on my serve.”
He raced through the first set – overpowering Baez on both wings – in just 29 minutes. Baez came back well in the next bracket. He produced some dazzling angles, then broke Mensik for the first time, as he was serving for the set at 6-5.
That was a jolt and there was more, when Mensik found himself 6-3 down in the tiebreaker, facing three set points. But the European clawed his way back, before converting his second match point, as Baez sent a backhand long.
The final was a battle of contrasting styles, between the power game of the 1.96m Mensik and the more subtle approach of the diminutive 1.70m Argentinean, who had got past top seed Ben Shelton en route.
Baez had looked untouchable this week but that changed quickly, as he was under pressure during the first set. He fought off a couple of early breaks but was unable to do the same at 2-3, with the Mensik groundstrokes limiting his time. Mensik was relatively untroubled, serving four consecutive aces in one game. He wrapped up the opening bracket, converting his first set point with an almost insouciant volley.
Baez was trying everything and scrambling beautifully, shown with an audacious forehand passing shot on the run in the fifth game.
But it felt like pushing sand uphill; Baez would work so hard to get a foothold on the Mensik serve, before that advantage quickly caved in, as his opponent unleashed a couple of bombs.
But the South American never stopping trying, reaching a new level in the latter stages of second set.
However Baez then cracked, with consecutive double faults in the 11th game. He rescued that situation but couldn’t escape trouble, broken for 5-6 after Mensik produced an unreturnable, skidding backhand.
But for the first time, serving for the match, Mensik wobbled. He found himself at 15-40 - before a miraculous Baez lob - that defied all physics - helped to convert the break. Baez sprung to an early lead in the breaker, before a peach of a drop shot took him to 6-3.
Mensik then had his moment, with an improbable half volley to save the first set point – as his racket clunked the ground – and another slashing return to defend the third.
“I just tried to play aggressive,” said Mensik. “It’s my favourite shot, backhand down the line, especially on the return. I managed it and the momentum switched. That was the key point I would say.”
Baez then put a volley wide at 6-6 – one he would normally make – and that was the beginning of the end.
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.