Tennis: Defending champion returning to ASB Classic

ASB Tennis Classic. Singles final Jack Sock versus Roberto Bautista Agut. Pictured is winner Agut. 16 January 2016 New Zealand Herald photograph by Doug Sherring

2016 men's ASB Classic champion Roberto Bautista-Agut will be returning to defend his title.

The world No 17 backed up his Auckland success with a second ATP World Tour title for the season in Sofia, Bulgaria, and has twice reached the round of 16 at Grand Slams this year - at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, where he took a set off world No 1 Novak Djokovic.

Bautista-Agut captured the Auckland crown off the back of a stunning week which saw him beat two former champions (Jiri Vesely, 2014 and John Isner 2012 & 2015) as well as World Number 10, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga en route to lifting the trophy.

A solid showing at the Rio Olympics earnt him a spot in the quarter finals, going down to eventual silver medallist Juan-Martin Del Potro whilst he was runner-up at Winston Salem last week - the final tune-up event prior to this week's US Open.

The crafty right hander came through a potentially tricky first round encounter against compatriot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and will be back in action against Argentine Frederico Delbonis. A potential collision course with Rafael Nadal awaits in the fourth round.

"Roberto is a very solid player in the same vein as someone like David Ferrer. He has four ATP titles and uniquely one on each of the three surfaces. He has had a very solid year and it is a great way to start what is going to be a huge year for the ASB Classic," said Tournament Director Karl Budge.