ASB Classic, Auckland, New Zealand - ATP 250

[britbox]

DATE: 9 January 2016 - 14 January 2016
SURFACE: Hard
PRIZE MONEY: $508,360
FIELD SIZE: 32
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Roberto Bautista Agut

Seeds:

1 Roberto Bautista Agut
2 John Isner
3 David Ferrer
4 Jack Sock
5 Albert Ramos-Vinolas
6 Feliciano Lopez
7 Steve Johnson
8 Marco Baghdatis

The Tournament:

The ASB Classic is the biggest men’s professional sporting event in New Zealand, held in Auckland since 1956. Played in the week prior to the Australian Open, the ATP World Tour 250 event is a crucial stop in preparation for the year's first Grand Slam tournament. David Ferrer went on to reach the Melbourne semi-finals in 2011 and '13 after winning two of his four Auckland titles. Src: WTA

About Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city with a population of nearly 1.5 million. Auckland boasts a cosmopolitan blend of European, Maori, Asian and Polynesian cultures, as well as a natural environment that encourages visitors to embrace the Great Outdoors.

The city is based around 2 large harbours with the centrepiece being the Sky Tower which has views of the vibrant Viaduct Harbour district lined with bars and cafes. Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park, is based around an extinct volcano and home to the formal Wintergardens. Near Downtown, Mission Bay Beach has a seaside promenade.

It's rugged coastline and terrain was formed from volcanic ridges of lava flows. Known as the "City of Sails" - Auckland has more boats per capita than any other city in the world. Rangitoto Island sits majestically off the coast.

The Māori language name for Auckland is Tāmaki or Tāmaki-makau-rau, meaning "Tāmaki with a hundred lovers"

Auckland is regularly listed among the top 10 of the World's most liveable cities.

Tourism Guide:

 

[Billie]

And a very dear friend of mine lives here.

This can't be the biggest professional sporting event in New Zealand, can it?

 

[britbox]

The Draw:

 

[Moxie]

Feli Lopez logs a win.

 

[britbox]

Results from the Auckland Open Men's Singles Round 1 matches on Monday

Dustin Brown (Germany) beat Michael Mmoh (U.S.) 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4
6-Feliciano Lopez (Spain) beat Michael Venus (New Zealand) 3-6 6-4 6-3
Malek Jaziri (Tunisia) beat Diego Schwartzman (Argentina) 7-6(1) 6-3
Jiri Vesely (Czech Republic) beat Horacio Zeballos (Argentina) 6-4 6-3
Robin Haase (Netherlands) beat Finn Tearney (New Zealand) 6-4 7-5
7-Steve Johnson (U.S.) beat Stephane Robert (France) 6-4 6-3

 

[Carol]

Sousa is playing a good match against Ramos, 6-1 3-1.....

 

[Mastoor]

Round 2 match Dustin Brown v Marcos Baghdatis, you don't want to miss it. Both players were extremely entertaining in their round 1 matches.

 

[britbox]

Results from the Auckland Open Men's Singles Round 1 matches on Tuesday

8-Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) beat Adrian Mannarino (France) 6-4 6-4
Lu Yen-Hsun (Taiwan) beat Karen Khachanov (Russia) 4-6 7-6(5) 7-6(9)
Brydan Klein (Britain) beat Facundo Bagnis (Argentina) 6-1 6-7(6) 7-6(3)
Joao Sousa (Portugal) beat 5-Albert Ramos (Spain) 6-1 7-5
Ryan Harrison (U.S.) beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (Spain) 6-1 6-2

 

[britbox]

Round 2 match Dustin Brown v Marcos Baghdatis, you don't want to miss it. Both players were extremely entertaining in their round 1 matches.

Two of my favourite players to watch. Will try and check in for that one.

 

[britbox]

Order of Play for Wednesday:

 

[isabelle]

Chardy won

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

dreddy brown v captain baggy might be full of interesting goings-on.

 

[britbox]

Should be high on entertainment value.

 

[britbox]

Results from the Auckland Open Men's Singles Round 2 matches on Wednesday

8-Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) beat Dustin Brown (Germany) 4-6 7-6(4) 6-4
Jeremy Chardy (France) beat 6-Feliciano Lopez (Spain) walkover
Jiri Vesely (Czech Republic) beat Jose Statham (New Zealand) 6-7(6) 7-5 6-3
2-John Isner (U.S.) beat Malek Jaziri (Tunisia) 6-3 3-6 7-6(6)
7-Steve Johnson (U.S.) beat Lu Yen-Hsun (Taiwan) 6-4 7-6(4)
Joao Sousa (Portugal) beat Brydan Klein (Britain) 6-3 6-4
Robin Haase (Netherlands) beat 3-David Ferrer (Spain) 2-6 6-4 7-6(4)

 

[britbox]

Order of Play - Thursday.

 

[Mastoor]

Should be high on entertainment value.

It was an interesting match and I don't know why they didn't put it in the evening session instead of Sock/Harrison. Baghdatis kept repeating how tired he is from last 2 matches. He has been playing with a medical condition that tires him quickly. he didn't say which one. he will next play with Vesely. Yaziri was very good against Isner and lost in the tb of the third set.

 

[isabelle]

maybe Ferru should consider retirement ???

 

[Carol]

Sousa continues playing well

 

[Mastoor]

maybe Ferru should consider retirement ???

There's now another clay courter who seem to be willing to play every tournament in the world to replace Ferrer in doing that - Thiem.

Baghdatis is starting against Veseli.

 

[Moxie]

There's now another clay courter who seem to be willing to play every tournament in the world to replace Ferrer in doing that - Thiem.

Baghdatis is starting against Veseli.

That's kind of funny and interesting: Thiem is not going to be the next Nadal, but he might be the next Ferrer. Note that Ferrer is not merely a clay courter, and neither is Thiem.