#NextGenATP stars Mensik, Basavareddy advance in Auckland

Jakub Mensik became the youngest player to earn a win at the ASB Classic in Auckland since Denis Shapovalov in 2018 on Tuesday when he overcame Spanish lucky loser Pablo Carreno Busta 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.

In a tight first-round battle at the ATP 250, #NextGenATP Czech Mensik fired 18 aces according to Infosys ATP Stats and produced an aggressive final game on return to break Carreno Busta’s serve and seal victory after two hours and 12 minutes.

"It is a great feeling to win," Mensik said. "It was a difficult match from the start. I just arrived from Brisbane and didn't have much time to adapt but I am pleased with my performance. My opponent played really well. It is tough to beat him from the baseline."

The 19-year-old competed at last month’s Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF and started this year with a run to the quarter-finals in Brisbane. Chasing his first tour-level title, Mensik will next face a tough test in the shape of top seed Ben Shelton.

Dazzling on debut ✨#NextGenATP star @mensik_jakub_ opens his account in Auckland, defeating Carreno Busta 6-2 4-6 7-5.@ASB_Classic | #ASBClassic25 pic.twitter.com/VNNGoULVlb

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 7, 2025

In a good day for #NextGenATP stars, Nishesh Basavareddy recorded his first win in a main draw at an ATP Tour event. The 19-year-old American, who earned a victory at last month’s Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, defeated Argentine lucky loser Francisco Comesana 6-2, 6-2.

Basavareddy won two ATP Challenger Tour titles last year and is competing at a career-high No. 133 in the PIF ATP Rankings this week. He will next play second seed and defending champion Alejandro Tabilo.

In other action, 38-year-old Gael Monfils overcame Pedro Martinez 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 to become the oldest player to win a match in Auckland since 42-year-old Torben Ulrich in 1971. The Frenchman, who reached the semi-finals at the ATP 250 in 2013, will next play Jan-Lennard Struff after the German beat Buyunchaokete 6-3, 6-4.

Italian Lorenzo Sonego dug deep to defeat Canadian wild card Gabriel Diallo 7-6(5), 2-6, 7-6(7). Sonego saved one match point in the third-set tie-break to advance after three hours and one minute.

Argentine pair Mariano Navone and Facundo Diaz Acosta both advanced on Day 2. Navone beat French lucky loser Adrian Mannarino 7-6(6), 6-7(5), 6-1, while Diaz Acosta downed Cameron Norrie 6-2, 6-3. Italian qualifier Luca Nardi advanced after sixth seed Flavio Cobolli was forced to retire. Nardi led 6-2, 1-1 when play was stopped.