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01/16 21:37 CST Jakub Mensik heads to the Australian Open after winning the
singles title in Auckland
Jakub Mensik heads to the Australian Open after winning the singles title in
Auckland
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) --- Third-seeded Jakub Mensik served 18 aces
Saturday on his way to a 6-3, 7-6 (7) win over Sebastien Baez in the final of
the ATP 250 tournament in Auckland.
The 20-year-old from the Czech Republic, ranked 18th, saved three set points in
the second-set tiebreak to claim his second ATP Tour title.
He now heads to the Australian Open in which he will play Spain's Pablo Carreno
Busta in the first round. Baez, who beat top-seeded American Ben Shelton in the
quarterfinals in Auckland, will play Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first
round in Melbourne,
Mensik breezed through the first set in 31 minutes with 11 aces and served for
the second set at 6-5. But Baez broke him for the first time in the match and
led 6-3 in the tiebreak before Mensik won three straight points.
Mensik gained his second match point with his 18th ace, then took the final
point off Baez's serve to seal the match.
"I would say it has been a great start of the year," Mensik said. "Obviously,
I'm super happy after the preparation and pre-season. Seb is a great fighter.
It's difficult to hit a winner against him."
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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