• Jakub Mensik beat Sebastien Baez 6-3, 7-6 (7) to win the Auckland ATP 250 title.
  • Mensik served 18 aces and saved three set points in the second-set tiebreak.
  • The 20-year-old Czech claimed his second ATP Tour title and will face Pablo Carreno Busta at the Australian Open.

H2: Mensik takes Auckland crown with powerful serving display

Jakub Mensik dominated the ATP 250 final in Auckland, beating Sebastien Baez 6-3, 7-6 (7) on Saturday. The 20-year-old from the Czech Republic fired 18 aces and showed calm under pressure to secure his second ATP Tour title.

Mensik, seeded third and ranked 18th in the world, raced through the opening set in just 31 minutes. He produced 11 aces in that set alone and closed it out 6-3, establishing early momentum against the Argentine.

H3: Tiebreak drama — saved set points and late heroics

The second set tightened as Baez fought back. Mensik served for the match at 6-5 but was broken, sending the set to a tiebreak. Baez jumped to a 6-3 lead in the breaker and had three set points, but Mensik won three straight points to level and force more drama.

Mensik earned his second match point with his 18th ace, then closed out the match on return pressure, taking the final point off Baez’s serve.

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

H2: What the win means ahead of the Australian Open

The Auckland title gives Mensik a confidence boost heading into the Australian Open. The Czech will open his Melbourne campaign against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in the first round — a tough draw but one Mensik will approach riding high from his Auckland performance.

Baez, meanwhile, earned positive signs of his own in Auckland. The Argentine upset top-seeded Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals and will face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round in Melbourne.

H3: Key match stats

  • Final score: 6-3, 7-6 (7)
  • Aces: Mensik 18
  • First-set time: 31 minutes
  • Titles: Mensik’s second ATP Tour title

H2: Looking ahead

Mensik’s serve and composure in clutch moments stood out in Auckland. If he carries that form to Melbourne, he could be a player to watch in the early rounds of the Australian Open. For now, the Czech celebrates a strong start to the season and a well-earned trophy.

Stay tuned for Mensik’s Australian Open opener and further coverage from the summer hard-court swing.

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