AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Third-seeded Jakub Mensik served 18 aces Saturday on his method to a 6-3, 7-6 (7) win over Sebastien Baez within the remaining of the ATP 250 event.
The 20-year-old from the Czech Republic, ranked 18th, saved three set factors within the second-set tiebreak to assert his second ATP Tour title.
He now heads to the Australian Open, the place he’ll play Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta within the first spherical. Baez, who beat top-seeded American Ben Shelton within the quarterfinals in Auckland, will play Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard within the first spherical in Melbourne.
Mensik breezed by means of the primary set in 31 minutes with 11 aces and served for the second set at 6-5. However Baez broke him for the primary time within the match and led 6-3 within the tiebreak earlier than Mensik received three straight factors.
Mensik gained his second match level along with his 18th ace then took the ultimate level off Baez’s serve to seal the match.
“I’d say it has been a fantastic begin of the 12 months,” Mensik stated. “Clearly, I am tremendous comfortable after the preparation and preseason. Seb is a good fighter. It is troublesome to hit a winner in opposition to him.”
