• Jakub Mensik served 18 aces to beat Sebastian Baez 6-3, 7-6 (7) in the Auckland final.
  • The 20-year-old Czech saved three set points in the tiebreak to secure his second ATP Tour title.
  • Mensik, seeded third and ranked 18th, now heads to the Australian Open to face Pablo Carreno Busta.

Mensik’s dominant serving seals Auckland title

Jakub Mensik used a powerful serve to take the ATP 250 crown in Auckland, beating Sebastian Baez 6-3, 7-6 (7) on Saturday. The 20-year-old Czech recorded 18 aces and never allowed the match to slip away after a strong first set.

Match snapshot

Mensik, the tournament’s third seed and ranked 18th in the world, wrapped up the opening set in 31 minutes, firing 11 aces and controlling rallies with aggressive play. Baez fought back in the second set, breaking Mensik to force a tiebreak, where Mensik saved three set points before closing out the match.

Key moments

With Baez leading 6-3 in the tiebreak, Mensik won three consecutive points to turn the momentum. He claimed his second match point with his 18th ace, then won the final point on Baez’s serve to finish the victory.

What this means ahead of the Australian Open

The title gives Mensik momentum and confidence heading into Melbourne. He will open his Australian Open campaign against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in the first round — a stern test for the rising Czech.

Opponents to watch

Baez, who advanced to the Auckland final after defeating top-seeded Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals, will travel to Melbourne to face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round. Both players arrive at the Grand Slam with match play and form built over Auckland’s hard courts.

Player reaction

Mensik praised his preparation and his opponent after the match. “I would say it has been a great start of the year,” he said. “Obviously, I’m super happy after the preparation and preseason. Seb is a great fighter. It’s difficult to hit a winner against him.”

Why this win matters

Winning an ATP 250 title early in the season gives Mensik valuable ranking points and boosts his profile on tour. At just 20, the Czech’s serve and composure in pressure moments signal that he can challenge higher-ranked opponents at bigger events.

Looking ahead

Fans and analysts will watch how Mensik carries Auckland form into Melbourne. A win over Carreno Busta would mark a major statement and underline his status as one of the sport’s emerging talents.

Image Referance: https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/47635386/mensik-wins-auckland-singles-title-ahead-australian-open