The 2016 ASB Classic is one of two events on the Men’s tour that will be played before the first major of the season, making this week the last available tune-up for the Australian Open.
The qualifying draw begins on Friday, January 8, and the four qualifiers will join two special exemption and three wild cards that will fill the 28-man main draw that begins on Saturday, January 9.
Event Details
Event: ASB Classic
Category: ATP World Tour 250
Date: January 11 – 16, 2016
Location: ASB Tennis Center; Auckland, New Zealand
The 2016 ASB Classic will mark the 60th year of the tournament in New Zealand, with its first appearance on the tour coming in the 1956 campaign. Officially, however, since the ATP tour was formed in 1972, this is the 40th version of the event on the men’s tour, and it will be the 31st edition of the women’s tour.
With a Total Financial Commitment of $520,070, the prize money will consist of $463,520. The break down has not yet been announced as of yet, although the winner of last year’s tournament, Jiří Veselý took home $82,500
The points structure under any of the ATP 250 Series events on the men’s tour will offer 250 player points towards the winner’s ranking, with 150 points going to the tournament’s runner-up.
This is certainly considered a strong field this year, as all 19 players in the main draw are ranked either in, or just outside, the top-50 in the world, with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga leading the way, ranked at 10th.
This event will run concurrent with the Apia International Sydney Tennis Tournament, which will not feature any player ranked higher than 18th in the world.
Let’s take a look at the main draw configuration as the event approaches, and we will update the entire list as the qualifying rounds are concluded and the two special exemption spots are announced.
Main Draw
1 Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried FRA
2 Isner, John USA
3 Anderson, Kevin RSA
4 Paire, Benoit FRA
5 Fognini, Fabio ITA
6 Karlovic, Ivo CRO
7 Bautista Agut, Roberto ESP
8 Sock, Jack USA
9 Garcia-Lopez, Guillermo ESP
10 Johnson, Steve USA
11 Sousa, Joao POR
12 Kohlschreiber, Philipp GER
13 Pospisil, Vasek CAN
14 Vesely, Jiri CZE
15 Bedene, Aljaz GBR
16 Young, Donald USA
17 Ramos-Vinolas, Albert ESP
18 Rosol, Lukas CZE
19 Estrella Burgos, Victor DOM
20 (SE)
21 (SE)
22 (Q)
23 (Q)
24 (Q)
25 (Q)
26 (WC) Ferrer, David ESP
27 (WC) Tearney, Finn NZL
28 (WC) Venus, Michael NZL
Former Champions and Results (5 Years)
Year Champion Runner-up Score
2015 – Jiří Veselý def. Adrian Mannarino – 6-3, 6-2
2014 – John Isner def. Lu Yen-hsun – 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (9-7)
2013 – David Ferrer def. Philipp Kohlschreiber – 7-6 (7-5), 6-1
2012 – David Ferrer def. Olivier Rochus – 6-3, 6-4
2011 – David Ferrer def. David Nalbaldian 6-3, 6-2
Player Info:
David Ferrer went on to reach the Melbourne semi-finals in 2011 and again in 2013, after winning two of his four Auckland titles in preparation for the first major of the season. Australia’s Roy Emerson is the only other player to have won four titles in New Zealand.
Ferrer will be on the wildcard list this year, with two players from New Zealand joining him, Finn Tearney and Michael Venus.
Jiří Veselý won his first ever ATP title here at the Heineken Open, which has been renamed this year after Heineken opted out of sponsorship of the event. The Czech Republic native has, however, won a Challenger Series title and a doubles title, all of which came in tournaments played in the Czech Republic. (Singles title: Czech Open in June, 2015 ; Doubles title: Prague Open in June, 2014 with partner Roman Jebavý).
John Isner hopes to follow up his 2014 title this year, and the surface here in Auckland undoubtedly favors his big serve on the hard plexi-cushion surface.
Be on the lookout for predictions and analysis from both the men’s and women’s tour here at Get More Sports. We will offer season-long previews, with heavy emphasis on the four Majors of course, so join us as the tennis season unfolds.
ASB Tennis Centre
The ASB Tennis Centre was originally established in 1920, and over took a major renovation in 2010 that carried over into 2012, which included a retractable roof to avoid weather cancellations. The complex has two indoor tennis courts, three indoor hardcourts and seven Outdoor Rebound Ace Courts. Center Court has a capacity of 3,200, which is considered relatively small by today’s standards.
