Ben Shelton, Alejandro Tabilo, Cam Norrie, Gael Monfils Photo: PHOTOSPORT
With the ASB Classic women's wrapping up on Sunday, it's time to turn our attention to the men. This will be the final tune up for everyone heading on to the Australian Open, but also there are some valuable ranking points to be picked up - as well as the opportunity to gather some important momentum as the new season starts.
We only need to look as far as last year's champion to see how important that is, and we welcome back some old faces as well as new talent. Here's who to look out for:
Ben Shelton
The young American is living up to the hype so far in his young career. He finished 2024 ranked 21 in the world and making the semi-finals at the US Open in 2023, he is definitely one of the most exciting prospects of the new wave of American players.
Britain's Cameron Norrie celebrates after victory against Norway's Casper Ruud in their men's singles match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2024. (Photo by David GRAY / AFP) / Photo: DAVID GRAY
New Zealand-raised Norrie returns to Auckland after a tough season in 2024, one that saw him drop out of the top 50 for the first time since 2020. That was due to a bicep injury that kept him out for three months, a gap that saw him miss the US Open, so his appearance this year will hopefully be the start of a resurgence at age 29. It feels like Norrie has a few good years left, a win here would be great for the tournament as it's something that he's been trying to tick off for a while now. It would certainly make up for last year, when he cruised through to the semis only to suffer an injury that ruled him out.
Alejandro Tabilo
Alejandro Tabilo of Chile plays a shot against Arthur Fils of France during the singles semi-final match. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
The main benefactor of Norrie withdrawing was Chilean Tabilo, a relative unknown who had spent most of the tournament toiling away on the back courts. Tabilo went on to not only win the tournament, but continue on with a very impressive season, rocketing up from 100th in the world to 23 by the end of the year. It's fair to say he will not be flying under the radar as much this time around.
Gaël Monfils
Gael Monfils of the France reacts during his first round singles match at the ASB Classic tennis tournament in Auckland, New Zealand. Monday January 7, 2024. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
The French veteran and crowd favourite is back in action for his 22nd season on tour, starting back at the ASB Classic for the third time and second year in a row. While the 38-year-old is in the twilight of his career, he still managed to put in perhaps the best match of last year's tournament when he lost to Hungarian Fábián Marozsán in a third set tiebreaker.
Wildcards
Isaac Becroft. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Kiwi Isaac Becroft gets a chance to play in an ATP event, after winning the playoff tournament in Te Anau last weekend. He's drawn qualifier Zizou Bergs from Belgium, and with a ranking gap of 930 places between them, it'll be a tall order for Becroft.
Top seeds sit out
Shelton, Tabilo, Francisco Cerundolo and Sebastian Baez all get a free pass to the second round, as the top four seeds.
The weather
Is looking good all week!
ASB Classic Men's singles first round
Ben Shelton (USA) - Bye
[SE] Alexandre Muller (FRA) vs Jakub Mensik (CZE)
Mariano Navone (ARG) vs [SE] Reilly Opelka (USA)
Luciano Darderi (ITA) vs Nuno Borges (POR)
Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) - Bye
Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) vs [WC] Lucas Pouille (FRA)
Zizou Bergs (BEL) vs [WC] Isaac Becroft (NZL)
Luca Nardi (ITA) vs Flavio Cobolli (ITA)
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) vs Yunchaokete Bu (CHN)
Pedro Martinez (ESP) vs Gael Monfils (FRA)
Cameron Norrie (GBR) vs Facundo Diaz Acosta (ARG)
Sebastian Baez (ARG) - Bye
Alex Michelsen (USA) vs Sumit Nagal (IND)
[WC] Gabriel Diallo (CAN) vs Lorenzo Sonego (ITA)
Nishesh Basavareddy (USA) vs Fabian Marozsan (HUN)
Alejandro Tabilo (CHI) - Bye
