The final matches before the Australian Open will be contested on Saturday, with the finals taking place in Adelaide and Auckland. Tomas Machac, ugo Humbert, Jakub Mensik, and Sebastian Baez claimed the titles.
Adelaide International: Ugo Humbert vs. (8) Tomas Machac
Both Machac and Humbert were outstanding this week in Adelaide. Both held their first three opponents and won the top-level semifinals in three sets on Friday. Machac defeated Tommy Paul 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, and Humbert overcame Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (4).
The result is the second meeting between the two players after Humbert won their first meeting 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 in the semi-finals in Tokyo in 2024. The 36th-ranked Frenchman may have another slight edge on Saturday. He is a stellar 7-3 lifetime in ATP finals, while Machac is a modest 1-1. While the 35th-ranked Czech’s ceiling may be a little high, Humbert is much stronger – and that could be a factor in what is almost certain to be a competitive, back-and-forth contest.
Pick: Humbert at 3
ASB Classic: (7) Sebastian Baez vs. (3) Jakub Mensik
No one on the tour has been as hot as Baez to start the year. The world number 39 remained undefeated at the United Cup with wins over Jaume Munar, Stan Wawrinka, and Taylor Fritz. He extended his record to 7-0 after defeating Emilio Nava, Jenson Brooksby, Ben Shelton, and Marcos Giron earlier this week in Auckland. Baez is currently the No. 1 seed in the live race to the Nitto ATP Finals, and he fully deserves it.
Standing in the way of a seventh seed for the title is Mensik, who he has never faced. The 20-year-old Czech player earned a place in his third ATP final by defeating Hamad Medjedovic, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, and Fabian Marozsan. Mensik played two full matches on Friday in the rain-delayed event, including three sets against Marozsan. Baez needed one quick set to finish Shelton and destroyed Giron 6-1, 6-4. The Argentine is on fire and more relaxed than his opponent, so check out his hot early season resume.
Pick: Baez at 3
