As the excitement builds for the start of the 2026 tennis season, the focus momentarily shifts from the upcoming Australian Open to two important ATP 250 events in Auckland and Adelaide. This week features a strong lineup of players eager to fine-tune their skills ahead of the year’s first Grand Slam. The competition is expected to showcase the talents of these athletes: Ben Shelton, Casper Ruud, Jakub Mensik, Gael Monfils, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Tommy Paul, and Stefanos Tsitsipas among others.
A closer look at what these two tournaments have to offer reveals intriguing matchups and potential surprises.
ASB Classic
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Surface: Hard
Points: 250
Prize Money: $766,290
The ASB Classic brings together a solid field, with Ben Shelton leading as the top seed, while Gael Monfils returns as the defending champion. Following Shelton in the draw are prominent players like Casper Ruud, Jakub Mensik, and Luciano Darderi, all of whom received first-round byes. The competition looks particularly fierce, with No. 5 seed Cameron Norrie, No. 6 seed Alex Michelsen, as well as past champions including Monfils and Alejandro Tabilo, making for an enticing prospect.
Shelton’s path could see him facing either Jenson Brooksby or Sebastian Baez, both coming off impressive recent performances. Ruud’s potential clash against Monfils in the opening round adds to the drama, while Mensik is expected to encounter Aleksandar Kovacevic. An interesting first-round meeting is set to unfold between Mpetshi Perricard and veteran Roberto Bautista Agut, which will be one to watch.
For the quarterfinals, reasonable predictions lean towards:
– Ben Shelton defeating Jenson Brooksby
– Alex Michelsen overcoming Alejandro Tabilo
– Cameron Norrie triumphing over Jakub Mensik
– Casper Ruud besting Nuno Borges
As for the semifinals, Michelsen is favored against Shelton, while Norrie is predicted to defeat Ruud. The final showdown might see Michelsen take home the title over Norrie.
Adelaide International
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Surface: Hard
Points: 250
Prize Money: $766,290
In Adelaide, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina tops the seed list, in a field where last year’s champion, Felix Auger-Aliassime, is absent. The competition appears wide open, with Davidovich Fokina looking to bounce back after a disappointing exit in Brisbane, while Tommy Paul seeks to regain form after missing the latter part of last season.
The top seeds in Adelaide bring varied levels of confidence: Francisco Cerundolo, usually a clay court specialist, and Tallon Griekspoor, who struggled last season, add to the uncertainty. However, the depth of field cannot be underestimated. The performances of players like Stefanos Tsitsipas at the United Cup and up-and-coming talent such as Valentin Vacherot and Brandon Nakashima promise engaging matches.
In the first rounds, Korda takes on Thanasi Kokkinakis, with the winner potentially meeting Vacherot next. Quarterfinals predictions point towards:
– Sebastian Korda overcoming Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
– Ugo Humbert defeating Brandon Nakashima
– Jaume Munar getting the better of James Duckworth
– Stefanos Tsitsipas winning against Tommy Paul
Looking ahead to the semifinals, Korda is projected to advance over Humbert, while Munar is expected to take down Tsitsipas. The anticipated final may see Korda emerge victorious against Munar.
As these tournaments unfold, players will not only vie for ranking points and prize money but will also be keen on refining their games and building momentum ahead of the Australian Open. The blend of emerging talent and experienced competitors makes for an exciting lead-up to the year’s first major event.
