The first Grand Slam of the 2026 tennis season is only a week away, but it’s not the time for our full attention on the Australian Open. Before we do that, there are two ATP 250 events on the schedule in Auckland and Adelaide. And even though the slam is right around the corner, the field for next week’s players is tight. Among those who appeared in court were Ben Shelton, Casper Ruud, Jakub Mensik, Gael Monfils, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Tommy Paul and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Let’s break down the action in Auckland and Adelaide.
ASB Classic
WhereLocation: Auckland, New Zealand
The face: It’s difficult
Points: 250
Prize moneyPrice: $766,290
Top seeds: Ben Shelton
The defending champion: Gael Monfils
Draw an analysis: Shelton leads as the top seed, followed by other first-round bye recipients Ruud, Mensik, and Luciano Darderi. It’s a very deep draw, especially at 250 points. The field also includes 5th seed Cameron Norrie, 6th seed Alex Michelsen, defending champion Gael Monfils, 2024 winner Alejandro Tabilo, Jenson Brooksby, and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Even Sebastian Baez was on fire in the United Cup and will be playing with a lot of confidence.
Shelton could face Baez or Brooksby in the quarterfinals before running into Darderi or Michelsen. On the other side of the bracket, Ruud will likely face Monfils in his opening game. Menik’s first opponent is likely to be Aleksandar Kovacevic, a Brisbane semi-finalist. An intriguing first round matchup features up-and-coming Coach Perricard and veteran Roberto Bautista Agut.
Forecasts for the last quarter: Ben Shelton over Jenson Brooksby, Alex Michelsen over Alejandro Tabilo, Cameron Norrie over Jakub Mensik and Casper Ruud over Nuno Borges
Semi-finalist: Michelsen over Shelton and Norrie over Ruud
Finally: Michelsen over Norrie
Adelaide International
WhereLocation: Adelaide, Australia
The face: It’s difficult
Points: 250
Prize moneyPrice: $766,290
Top seeds: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
2025 hero: Felix Auger-Aliassime (not playing)
Draw an analysis: It’s safe to say that this topic will be completely taken. Davidovich Fokina lost his opening match in Brisbane; Paul missed the last two months of 2025 and then lost again in Brisbane; Francisco Cerundolo is more dangerous on lightning than on hard courts; Tallon Griekspoor lost its opening game in eight of its last 10 contests last season. Those are the top four seeds in Adelaide; no one inspires any confidence.
There is plenty of depth in the field, however. Tsitsipas played well in the United Cup, Tomas Machac is always dangerous despite being extremely versatile, Valentin Vacherot, the 5th player, had a successful tour last season, and the No. 6 Brandon Nakashima is currently playing in the finals in Brisbane. Adelaide’s uncapped squad includes Sebastian Korda, Ugo Humbert, and Jaume Munar. The top quarter of the bracket is particularly stacked. Korda opens against Thanasi Kokkinakis before running into Vacherot in the second round with Davidovich Fokina in the quarters.
Forecasts for the last quarter: Sebastian Korda over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Ugo Humbert over Brandon Nakashima, Jaume Munar over James Duckworth, and Stefanos Tsitsipas over Tommy Paul
Semi-finalist: Korda over Humbert and Munar over Tsitsipas
Finally: Korda over Munar
