Published from ASB Classic

The 26-year-old Chilean Alejandro Tabilo became the first qualifier in 10 years to take out the men’s title at the ASB Classic today.

He prevailed over US-based Japanese player Taro Daniel 6-2 7-5 to claim his first ATP Tour title and the first Chilean to win an ATP Tour hard-court title in 17 years.

Tabilo, born in Canada, now finds himself inside the world’s top 50 ranked players for the first time.

The Chilean found a laser-like forehand his key weapon, breaking Daniel’s serve twice on the way to the first set 6-2. Daniel fought back with some deft touches in the second set to draw level at 5-5 but with the prospect of a tiebreak looming, he was broken as Tabilo went on to claim the title.

”We are all so happy and so emotional right now. I can’t really explain what I am feeling right now,” said Tabilo. “It is unbelievable and I never expected this week to happen like this.

“It has been a lot of work with my team, a lot of rehab and recovery with all the injuries. We have been trying to get back up and we had an opportunity two years ago. I knew all the work we had put in is now showing.

“It is unbelievable to go into Australia in the top 50. Almost two years ago our goal was to make top 100 and we didn’t do it. We finished last year top 100 and planned to slowly work our way towards the top 50 but to do it is crazy, almost coming too fast so we have to calm down, process everything and keep going.

“My team had a good play and he brought what we thought and were able to play our game today and it all worked out.”

The Chilean took the initiative from the get-go, stronger on the serve, and finishing off with excellent ground-strokes and deft touches. He broke Daniels twice on the way to a 6-2 first set. The second set was closer as Daniel found his range, but at 5-5 Tabilo stepped up to break and hold his serve for the victory.

Earlier Croatian Nikola Mektic made it two doubles titles in a row at the ASB Classic, joining with Dutch player Westley Koolhof for the victory. They outlasted top seeds Marcel Granollers (ESP) and Horacio Zeballos 6-3 6-7 10-7 in the super tiebreak.

Mektic has formed a new partnership after previous linking with the great Mate Pavic (CRO) who won the doubles titles three times in Auckland including last year.

Mektic broke early for 3-0 lead and they held serve for 6-3 first set win. But Koolhof and Granollers fought back to send the second set to a tiebreak which they won 7-5.

However the Mektic-Koolhof partnership were outstanding in the super tiebreak, building a handy buffer with some brilliant shot-making, going on to win 10-7.

Results:

Singles: Alejandro Tabilo (CHI) bt Taro Daniel (JPN) 6-2 7-5.

Doubles: Wesley Koolhof (NED) and Nikola Mektic (CRO) bt Marcel Granollers (ESP) and Horacio Zeballos (ARG) 6-3 6-7 10-7.

Published from ASB Classic

The unexpected injury withdrawal of home-town favourite Cameron Norrie, has left emerging stars Ben Shelton and Arthur Fils as clear favourites for the ASB Classic.

Norrie suffered a wrist injury from yesterday’s match, and after checks, he was left with my option but withdraw, which means he will have to wait a further 12 months to chase the coveted title in the city of Auckland where he grew up.

Top seed Ben Shelton raced his way into the semifinal where he will take on Taro Daniel, the first player from Japan to qualify for a semifinal at Auckland. Meanwhile Fils has become the first teenager to reach the semifinals in Auckland since a 17-year-old Rafael Nadal who reached the final in 2004.

Shelton was forced to work hard in the heat to advance to the semifinals after outlasting Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4 6-3.

The 21-year-old again showed his immense power, pushing over the 230kph mark on his biggest serves which he needed to finally extinguish a doughty challenge from Carballes Baena.

“I am just trying to stick to my game-plan this week and focus on trying to play the right way, the type of tennis that I visualise myself playing three or four years from now, and being content with some of the mistakes,” said Shelton.

“I want to have an aggressive style, an all-court player and most importantly, I don’t want to second-guess myself. I want to be committed to any decision I make on the court and not hesitate at all. When you hesitate you get in trouble.”

His opponent Daniel will line-up in his fourth ATP Tour semifinal, and his first in three years.

The 30-year-old US-based Japanese player led 4-0 in the second set before Frenchman Alexandre Muller fought back to win in the tiebreak. However Daniel re-engaged after a break to claim control in the final set 6-3.

“It’s really nice to be the first Japanese player to make the semifinals. Last year I had a really hard time. The weather was horrible and we had to play indoors and was one of the worst weeks in my career. So now to have one of the best – that contrast is so nice to have.”

The 19-year-old Fils has been enjoying his time in Auckland, as he reached his sixth ATP Tour semifinal although his first on outdoor hard courts.

He found the teak-tough Daniel Altmaier a strong challenge, with both featuring in a range of audacious shots. Fils was forced to a tiebreak which he won 7-6 but after leading in the second set, his opponent said a foot injury prevented him continuing.

“During the first set was ok, and feeling better and finish the first set playing really well. Both of us were playing pretty good and I did not know he was in pain,” said “Fils. “I am really happy to win but not in this way of course, but I am feeling confident.”

He will meet Alejandro Tabilo (CHI) who had the walkover against Norrie.

Results:

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals: Taro Daniel (JPN) bt Alexandre Muller (FRA)6-4 6-7 6-3, Ben Shelton (USA) bt Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) 6-4 6-3, Alejandro Tabilo (CHI) bt Cameron Norrie (GBR) walkover, Arthur Fils (FRA) bt Daniel Altmaier (GER) 7-6, 1-0 Ret,

Doubles Quarterfinals: Wesley Koolhof (NED) and Nikola Mektic (CRO) bt Maximo Gonzalez (ARG) Andrew MoltenI (ARG) 6-0 2-6 12-10, Nathaniel Lammons (USA) and Jackson Withrow (USA) bt Julian Cash (GBR) and Robert Galloway (USA) 3-6 7-6 10-2.

ORDER OF PLAY – FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2024 CENTRE COURT start 12:15 pm Wheelchair Match 1:00 pm: [1] Ben Shelton (USA) vs Taro Daniel (JPN); [6] Arthur Fils (FRA) vs [Q] Alejandro Tabilo (CHI); [1] Marcel Granollers (ESP) / Horacio Zeballos (ARG) vs [4] Nathaniel Lammons (USA) / Jackson Withrow (USA)

GRANDSTAND start 3:00 pm Sadio Doumbia (FRA) / Fabien Reboul (FRA) or Sander Gille (BEL) / Joran Vliegen (BEL) vs Wesley Koolhof (NED) / Nikola Mektic (CRO)

Published from ASB Classic

Granted a wildcard entry in 2023, American wonder kid Ben Shelton will return as the tournament’s top seed for the ASB Classic in Auckland next month.

Shelton, who went on from Auckland to enjoy a mercurial rise to No 17 in the world this year, will head the players named today in the main draw for the men’s ASB Classic starting on 8 January.

The 21 year old, who became the youngest American to break into the world’s top 50, heads a bunch of talented tyros who will provide plenty of spark to the 69th staging of the ASB Classic, the ATP 250 event.

He is joined by the likes of 23-year-old Felix Auger-Aliassime, ranked 29 in the world; American Chris Eubanks 27 years, ranked 34; 19-year-old Frenchman Arthur Fils, world no 36; Australian Max Purcell 25, ranked 45; JJ Wolf (USA) 25 years, ranked 53; and 25-year-old German Daniel Altmaier, ranked 56 in the world.

“They are among the new world order in tennis and they bring a fresh excitement to the game,” said ASB Classic Tournament Director, Nicolas Lamperin.

“From our perspective, it is rewarding to see the likes of Ben Shelton, who left USA for the first time to play here this year, progressing around the world this year as a fresh and exciting new face.”

Shelton pushed on after Auckland to make the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, the semifinals at the US Open, where he lost to Novak Djokovic, before a breakthrough tournament victory in the ATP 500 in Tokyo.

Auger-Aliassime, who guided Canada to their first Davis Cup victory last year, has been as high as No 6 in the world and has already bagged five ATP titles. He is the youngest player to make the world’s top-25 since Lleyton Hewitt over two decades ago.

Eubanks, popular in Auckland this year, is another to enjoy a stellar 2023 making the quarters at Wimbledon, Atlanta and Miami with victory at Mallorca.

Frenchman Fils, just 19 years, will attract plenty of interest after finishing runner-up at the ATP Next Gen finals, and becoming the youngest Frenchman in nearly two decades to win an ATP title in Lyon.

Purcell, who won three ITF finals in an 18-match winning run; Wolf who progressed from Auckland with two semifinals and three quarterfinals in the ATP this year; and Altmaier, who won a Challenger title among four ATP quarterfinals, are all part of the emerging youthful talent to head to Auckland.

While far from an “old-hand”, there will be plenty of support for Auckland-raised British star, Cameron Norrie, who is the second seed at 18th in the world. The big left-hander will be keen to go one better after finishing runner-up at Auckland this year, at the ASB Arena where he watched for several years as a youngster. His year included winning the ATP 500 in Rio defeating Carlos Alcaraz for the title, reaching the final at Buenos Aires and the quarters at Indian Wells, Queens and Zhuhai.

There are a bunch of experienced players in the mix, headed by colourful Frenchman Gael Monfils, a wildcard entry, who grabbed his 12th ATP title this year and reached at least one final over the last 19 years.

Joining him are Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, who boasts 11 titles and reached No 9 in the world, returning from a significant injury along with five-time winner Adrian Mannarino from France.

“It is an excellent mix not only of these exciting young players but also some proven stars who have won many, many times around the world,” said Lamperin.

“It is an extremely good field, which is very even and I expect some torrid battles of high quality throughout the week.”

There are 19 players given direct entry, with three wildcards (Monfils, and the New Zealand playoff  winner, plus one to be confirmed) with the remaining four players to come from qualifying.

There is also an additional opportunity for fans with organisers able to secure a very limited number of tickets from our sponsors’ allocations, with approximately 50 additional tickets released for all sessions of men’s week from January 8-13.

The ASB Classic begins with the WTA Women’s ASB Classic from January 1-7.

The full men’s field is (Seeding, World Ranking):

1. Ben Shelton (USA) World No 17, 2. Cameron Norrie (GBR) No 18, 3. Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) No 21, 4. Adrian Mannarino (FRA) No 22, 5. Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) No 25, 6. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) No 29, 7. Chris Eubanks (USA) No 34, 8. Arthur Fils (FRA) No 36, 9. Sebastian Ofner (AUT) No 43, 10. Max Purcell (AUS) No 45, 11. Botic van de Zandschulp (NED) No 50, No 12. JJ Wolf (USA) No 53 13. Daniel Altmaier (GER) No 56, 14. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) No 57; 15. Marcos Giron (USA) No 60, 16. Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) No 62, 17. Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) No 63, 18. Fabian Marozsan (HUN) No 64, 19. Nuno Borges (POR) No 66.

Wildcard: Gael Monfils (FRA) No 74.

Tickets: asbclassic.flicket.co.nz

Published from ASB Classic

Bright young American star, Ben Shelton, given a wildcard entry to the ASB Classic this year in one of his first ATP tournaments outside USA, will return to Auckland in January having climbed inside the world’s top 20 players.

The powerful left-hander turned heads at the ASB Arena earlier this year, and has continued to do so around the globe as arguably the most improved player among the ATP Tour’s top ranked players, having risen from No 96 in January.

Shelton, who made it to the last 16 in Auckland, went on to become the youngest American in 40 years to reach the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, losing to compatriot Tommy Paul.

The highlights continued throughout the year, making the round of 16 at Queens that led to a remarkable performance at the US Open where he reached the semifinals, losing to World No 1 Novak Djokovic after victories over fellow Americans Paul (world #12) and Frances Tiafoe (world #14) and Austrian Dominic Thiem.

Shelton went on to win the Laver Cup with Team World before his breakthrough ATP Tour tournament victory at the Tokyo Open in straight sets over Aslan Karatsev in the final.

The American is looking forward to returning to the ASB Classic.

“Auckland was my first win of the year on the ATP Tour. To start things off the right way in a place I really enjoyed was important to my success that followed at the Australian Open and for the rest of the year,” said Shelton.

“The ASB Classic was one of my first tournaments that I played in outside of the US and I learned a lot and enjoyed the experience.

“Next year I am hoping to venture out a little bit more, and see more of this beautiful city and experience a few sights – maybe take the ferry to visit the black sand beach.”

 The American said his season has been beyond dreams, especially at home in the US Open.

“Playing in front of a huge crowd at Arthur Ashe was definitely a bucket-list experience for me, something I dreamed about and definitely something I looked forward to.”

ASB Classic Tournament Director, Nicolas Lamperin said the tournament is thrilled to have Shelton returning.

“He is the type of player that we target. We saw him as a hugely promising teenager who would benefit from playing at our tournament, and that Auckland is a great place for a young player in his first time travelling outside of USA.

“Shelton impressed us all at the ASB Classic both on and off the court, and we knew that he had star qualities and he has already gone on to prove it.

“We are so pleased that he enjoyed his time in Auckland and I am sure there will be a great many fans flocking to see this very exciting young player in action.”

Lamperin said he was finalising his last few invites that will be confirmed in the next month ahead of the final field announcements in early December for the WTA women’s event from 1-7 January and the ATP men’s tournament from January 8-13.

Tickets sales have been strong for both weeks, with tickets available at www.asbclassic.co.nz

Photo: Ben Shelton celebrates in front of home-country fans at the US Open. (Credit: ATP-Getty Images).

Published from ASB Classic

The hottest teen in men’s world tennis, Frenchman Arthur Fils, is heading to New Zealand for January’s ASB Classic.

The 19-year-old, now risen to 38in the world on the ATP rankings, is the highest ranked teenager and currently ranked fifth in the Next Gen (21 years and under) listing.

Since turning professional two years ago, Fils has jumped over 600 spots in the world rankings, and more than 200 places this year.

The athletic 185mm teen broke into the top 100 in May this year after becoming the youngest Frenchman to win an ATP Tour event since Gael Monfils, with his title in Lyon.

He pushed into the top 50 in August after making the semifinal in Hamburg following his win over Casper Ruud. He then featured in Team Europe in the latest edition of the Laver Cup in Vancouver and celebrated his first call in the French Davis Cup team.

Since his efforts at Roland Garros in 2021, where he reached the boys final and won the boys doubles, his game has been on the ascendancy.

The French sensation has been lured to New Zealand after speaking to 2023 ASB Classic champion and compatriot, Richard Gasquet.

“He said it was a great tournament, a great crowd and so I am looking forward to these moments and feel at home there will mean so much,” said Fils.

“I have heard it is an impressive tournament. It will be my first time in New Zealand and Australia. I will see with the good weather, the good crowd – it will be a nice moment and I will try my best.”

Fils is now 19-15 for the season including wins over two top-10s and a tally including his maiden ATP Tour crown in Lyon in May, and runner-up to Alexander Bublik in the final at ATP Antwerp along with semifinals in Hamburg, Marseille and Montpellier.

ASB Classic Tournament Director, Nicolas Lamperin said the tournament has a reputation for providing opportunity for players on the rise, and to give opportunity for kiwi fans to follow tomorrow’s stars today.

“Arthur fits that group. He is a very exciting young French player who has risen in the rankings extremely quickly with a bright career ahead of him,” said Lamperin.

“He is already a sought-after young player who has impressed with his shot-making but also his attitude. He is an extremely likeable young player with a great attitude. Arthur is sure to attract plenty of fans in Auckland.”

The French teen says he has some big goals in the sport.

“My goal in tennis is to enjoy every moment. On the court to smile in every match I am playing, to try my best to win some great moments and to be high in the rankings. I want to try my best and I have some big goals here.”

While Fils has major goals to achieve on the court in 2024 starting in Auckland, he wants to take on some other challenges while he is in the city.

“I have been told that our hotel is where the bungy is. If I can jump off the building, then really, I will do that for sure.”