The 2026 ASB Classic in Auckland has kicked off with a flurry of anticipation and high-level tennis, as the ATP 250 tournament welcomes a mix of rising stars and seasoned veterans to the hard courts of the ASB Tennis Arena. With the opening rounds already underway, the tournament is shaping up to deliver its trademark blend of upsets, comebacks, and headline-grabbing performances.
On January 13, seven first-round matches are scheduled, featuring a cast of players eager to make their mark early in the season. Among the most closely watched encounters are Hamad Medjedovic versus Aleksandar Kovacevic, Fabian Marozsan against Gael Monfils, and Nuno Borges facing Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Each of these matchups offers a unique storyline, with recent form, head-to-head records, and career trajectories all contributing to the intrigue.
Hamad Medjedovic, the 22-year-old Serbian, enters the main draw after a confident run through the qualifying rounds, where he dispatched Bellucci in straight sets in the final hurdle. Despite dropping three of his last five matches, Medjedovic remains a favorite in his clash with Aleksandar Kovacevic, largely due to his dominant 3-0 head-to-head record against the American on hard courts. Bookmakers have taken note, pegging Medjedovic as the likely victor, especially considering he’s previously won both meetings in straight sets. "Medjedovic dominated in the qualifying tournament this week in Auckland," one preview noted, suggesting his aggressive play and mental edge could prove decisive.
Kovacevic, however, is not to be underestimated. The American has notched three wins in his last five outings and arrives in Auckland off a semifinal run in Brisbane, where he was halted by Brandon Nakashima. Kovacevic’s consistency on hard courts last season, including a notable final appearance in Los Cabos, has established him as a player capable of deep runs. Still, his recent head-to-head struggles against Medjedovic linger over this matchup. The stage is set for a compelling battle between two players with much to prove as the 2026 campaign gets rolling.
Elsewhere, the encounter between Fabian Marozsan and Gael Monfils is capturing attention for its blend of youthful ambition and veteran flair. Marozsan, the Hungarian hopeful, is pushing to crack the top 50 and is coming off a tough start to the year, having lost three of his last five matches, including an early exit in Hong Kong. Yet, he’s widely tipped as the value bet in this contest, with bookmakers and analysts pointing out Monfils’s lack of match play and advancing age as significant factors.
Monfils, the charismatic Frenchman and defending champion in Auckland, has not played a competitive match this season and is returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him since the 2025 Chengdu Open. Now approaching his 40th birthday, Monfils’s form is under scrutiny. Still, his experience and on-court creativity remain potent assets. Last year, Monfils stormed to the Auckland title with a straight-sets victory over Bergs in the final, reminding everyone of his capability to turn back the clock when it matters most. The question is, will he find his rhythm quickly enough to fend off Marozsan’s challenge?
Another first-round highlight features Nuno Borges, seeded No. 8, who starts his Auckland campaign against Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Borges, who reached the semifinals here last year before falling to Zizou Bergs in a tightly contested three-setter, is looking to build on a solid start to 2026. He advanced to the quarterfinals in Hong Kong, notching wins over Damir Dzumhur and Marin Cilic before bowing out to Andrey Rublev. Borges’s recent form and hard-court pedigree have made him the slight favorite, with experts noting, "Borges is a better hard-court player than Etcheverry. He played well last week in Hong Kong, and we expect him to dominate on the backhand side."
Etcheverry, for his part, comes in with a 1-1 record in 2026, all matches played on hard courts. Last week in Hong Kong, he pushed top seed Lorenzo Musetti to three sets after a strong opening-round win over Valentin Royer. The Argentine is eager to recapture the form that once saw him inside the ATP top 50, and a breakthrough in Auckland could be just the ticket. This marks the first career meeting between Borges and Etcheverry, adding another layer of unpredictability to the contest.
Beyond these marquee matchups, the ASB Classic’s first round is brimming with intrigue. Francisco Comesana, ranked No. 68, faces the daunting task of taking on world No. 8 Ben Shelton. Comesana has yet to find his footing in 2026, with a 0-1 match record so far, while Shelton is widely considered one of the rising stars of the ATP Tour. The tournament also sees the return of players like Eliot Spizzirri, Jenson Brooksby, Cameron Norrie, and Sebastian Baez, all of whom secured passage to the second round on Day 1.
The tournament’s betting markets reflect the tight margins and unpredictability of early-season tennis. According to odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook, updated on January 13, Medjedovic, Marozsan, and Borges are all considered smart picks in their respective matches. Still, as any tennis fan knows, the hard courts of Auckland have seen their fair share of surprises over the years.
Looking ahead, the projected draw for Borges is particularly intriguing. Should he get past Etcheverry, he could face Eliot Spizzirri in the second round—a player he holds a 1-0 head-to-head edge over in 2026. Further down the line, potential showdowns with Casper Ruud, Jakub Mensik, Cameron Norrie, or even Ben Shelton loom, each offering a new set of challenges and opportunities. Borges’s record against these possible opponents is encouraging, with winning head-to-heads against Mensik and even a victory over Shelton on hard courts in a major tournament.
Veterans like Roberto Bautista Agut and rising talents such as Alex Michelsen and Marcos Giron also populate the draw, ensuring that every round is packed with storylines. Michelsen, for instance, arrives in Auckland fresh off a semifinal appearance in Brisbane, while Giron recently bested Alexandre Muller at the Hong Kong Open and will look to repeat that success here.
As Day 2 of the ASB Classic unfolds, the action remains as unpredictable as ever. Will Medjedovic’s qualifying form translate into main-draw success? Can Monfils channel the magic of last year’s title run, or will Marozsan’s youthful hunger prevail? And will Borges continue his steady climb up the rankings, or will Etcheverry spring an early upset?
With each match, the answers come into sharper focus. For now, Auckland’s hard courts are alive with possibility, and the 2026 ASB Classic is already delivering the drama and excitement fans have come to expect from one of the ATP’s most beloved stops.
