Sebastian Baez continued his flawless start to 2026, completing a remarkable double duty day in Auckland by defeating Ben Shelton and Marcos Giron to reach his 12th ATP final. The Argentine's perfect 7-0 record has him three spots higher in the live rankings as he prepares to face Jakub Mensik for the title. Meanwhile in Adelaide, Ugo Humbert stunned top seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a three-set thriller, while Tommy Paul's comeback from injury ended at the hands of Tomas Machac.
Baez completes top-ten double in Auckland
After rain suspended his quarterfinal against top seed Ben Shelton on Thursday with a 7-5, 0-1 lead, Sebastian Baez returned to complete one of the most impressive days of his career. The 25-year-old Argentine broke the World No. 8's serve immediately upon resumption and held his nerve to seal a 7-5, 6-3 victory for his third top-ten win and second of the season after defeating Taylor Fritz at the United Cup. Baez's pressure point statistics told the story of his composed performance - winning 11 of 17 serve pressure points while capitalizing on 13 of 28 return pressure opportunities. The victory moved him to 7-0 for the season and lifted him three spots to No. 36 in the live rankings, extending his head-to-head lead over Shelton and setting up a title showdown with third seed Jakub Mensik.
Mensik survives thriller to reach Auckland final
Jakub Mensik also pulled double duty in Auckland, advancing to his third ATP Tour final and first since defeating Novak Djokovic in Miami last March. The 20-year-old Czech overcame Hungarian Fabian Marozsan 7-6(9), 4-6, 6-1 in a hard-fought semifinal that saw momentum swing dramatically. After saving five set points in the opening tiebreak, Mensik lost the second set but dominated the decider with clinical serving. His 16 aces and strong first serve percentage of 74% proved decisive, though he needed to save 5 of 8 break points faced throughout the encounter. The victory continued Mensik's impressive early-season form as he bids for his first title since that breakthrough triumph over Djokovic in Miami, when he became one of the youngest players to defeat the Serbian legend in a final.
Humbert shocks Davidovich Fokina in Adelaide
Ugo Humbert produced the upset of the day in Adelaide, defeating top seed and local favorite Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(4) in a gripping semifinal. The Frenchman looked in control after taking the opening set, but Davidovich Fokina - competing as the top seed for the first time in his career and seeking his maiden ATP title - fought back to level the match. The deciding set went the distance, with Humbert's superior return game proving crucial as he won 14 of 16 serve pressure points under intense pressure. The victory ended Davidovich Fokina's impressive run where he had been carving stunning angles and winners, particularly in his previous victory over Shanghai champion Valentin Vacherot. Humbert's composed performance in the pressure moments ultimately sealed his passage to the final.
Machac completes comeback against Paul
Tomas Machac staged an impressive comeback to defeat Tommy Paul 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the Adelaide semifinals, ending the American's remarkable return from injury. Paul, the former World No. 8 who missed the final three months of 2025 due to a lingering foot injury, had been in impressive form reaching his third semifinal at the ATP 250 event. However, after dominating the opening set, Paul's level dropped as Machac found his rhythm. The Czech's serving statistics were exceptional - winning 78% of first serve points and crucially handling pressure situations better, taking 19 of 25 serve pressure points compared to Paul's struggles on return where he managed just 8 of 24 pressure opportunities. The victory sends Machac into his first ATP final of 2026 and continues his strong start to the season.
Baez caps perfect day with Giron victory
Just hours after his victory over Shelton, Sebastian Baez returned to court and dismantled Marcos Giron 6-1, 6-4 to complete his remarkable double duty day in Auckland. The Argentine was clinical from the start, racing through the opening set before maintaining his intensity in the second. Baez's dominance on return was evident as he converted 4 of 15 break point opportunities while Giron managed just 1 of 2. The victory extended Baez's perfect head-to-head record against the American to 3-0 and capped off a dream day that saw him defeat two opponents to reach his 12th tour-level final. With his 7-0 record to start 2026, Baez will compete for his eighth title and second on hard court when he faces Mensik in what promises to be an intriguing final between two players in exceptional form.
The finals in Auckland and Adelaide are set for the weekend, with both tournaments providing compelling storylines as the 2026 season continues to unfold in the lead-up to the Australian Open.
Looking ahead to Saturday's finals
Saturday's ATP action delivers two compelling finals across the Southern Hemisphere, with contrasting storylines unfolding in Adelaide and Auckland. In Adelaide, Ugo Humbert and Tomas Machac renew their rivalry in what promises to be a battle between two of the tour's most explosive talents. Meanwhile, Auckland showcases a fascinating generational clash as rising star Jakub Mensik looks to claim his breakthrough title against the crafty Sebastian Baez. Both matches feature players riding significant winning streaks, setting the stage for an entertaining day of hard court tennis.
French flair meets Czech power in Adelaide final
The Adelaide showdown between Humbert (#36) and Machac (#35) represents a fascinating tactical battle between two players separated by just one ranking position. Humbert holds a narrow 1-0 head-to-head advantage from their Tokyo encounter in September 2024, but both players arrive in vastly different form than that meeting.
The statistical matchup reveals intriguing contrasts in their hard court games over the past 12 months. Humbert's superior first serve dominance shows at 76.7% points won compared to Machac's 73.5%, while the Frenchman also holds an edge in ace production at 7.8 per match. However, Machac compensates with significantly stronger break point conversion at 46.3% versus Humbert's 40.2%, suggesting the Czech player may hold the advantage in crucial moments.
Form analysis heavily favors both players entering this final. Humbert arrives on a three-match winning streak with a strong 7-3 record in his last 10 matches, while Machac has won four straight and maintains identical hard court form at 64.5% over the past year. The Czech's superior tiebreak record of 9-5 (64.3%) compared to Humbert's 7-5 could prove decisive in what should be a closely contested affair. With both players seeking their biggest title breakthrough, expect maximum intensity from the opening game.
Youth meets experience in Auckland championship
The Auckland final presents a captivating first meeting between 18-year-old Mensik and the veteran Baez, with the rankings gap telling only part of the story. While Mensik enters as the #18 seed favorite and recent Miami Open champion, Baez arrives riding an impressive seven-match winning streak that has transformed his hard court season.
Mensik's power game jumps off the statistical sheet with a remarkable 14.2 aces per match over the past year, nearly eight times Baez's modest 1.8 average. The Czech teenager's first serve effectiveness at 78.3% points won creates a formidable foundation, though his 4.2 double faults per match hint at the aggressive risk-taking that defines his game. Baez counters with superior return numbers, winning 30.7% of points against first serves compared to Mensik's 28.5%.
The pressure statistics reveal an fascinating dynamic for this championship match. While both players show similar serve pressure metrics, Baez's 42.1% break point conversion in crucial moments significantly outpaces Mensik's 38.2%, suggesting the Argentine's experience could prove valuable in tight situations. However, Mensik's superior hard court record of 20-11 (64.5%) versus Baez's struggling 10-11 (47.6%) indicates the surface clearly suits the young Czech's explosive style better than the clay court specialist's patient approach.
Both finals promise compelling contrasts in playing styles and career trajectories, with Adelaide featuring two players seeking breakthrough moments while Auckland showcases the eternal tennis narrative of rising youth challenging seasoned experience. Coverage begins with the Auckland final followed by Adelaide's evening showpiece.