ASB Classic 2016 Preview

ASB Classic 2016 Preview

Can last years surprise winner Jiri Vesely defend his title or will crowd favourite Spaniard David Ferrer break Australian Roy Emersons record of four titles?

The best mens tennis players from all over the world head to Auckland for this year’s renamed ASB Classic. Players will be able to get in last minute preparation and get used to playing in hot sticky weather before they go to Australia and play in the Australian Open.
Last year’s field struggled to keep the majority of its drawcards that they signed due to players pulling out with injury. However this years field has been confirmed with some surprise big signings, former champions and up and coming stars of the game, including .
• World Number 7 and Wildcard David Ferrer comes back to the tournament a four time champion and a fan favourite. Ferrer enjoys coming to the tournament and the veteran will be looking to win yet another title.
• World Number 10 Jo-Wilfred Tsonga

The likeable frenchman comes to the tournament with an arm problem but feels that he should be right for the tournament. Jo has the all round game to win as he’s got a good serve and net game.
• World Number 11 John Isner

The 6 foot 9 American comes to this tournament as a two time champion, and he hasn’t lost a match in Auckland. Expect some new fastest serve records to be set at the tournament.
• World Number 12 Kevin Anderson

The lanky South African enjoys coming to New Zealand but hasn’t done as well as he would like. Anderson has a good baseline game but does struggle to move across the court quickly for a big man

As well as those top four seeds tournament director Karl Budge also managed to fill the other spots with:
5th Seed – Hard hitting Frenchman Benoit Paire. 6th Seed – Not afraid to lose his cool Fabio Fogini. 7th Seed – Big serving Ivo Karlovic. 8th Seed – Unpredictable Roberto Baustia Agut
Add in the Former champion and strong backhander Phillip Koschiber, big serving Sam Querrey, and the up and coming stars of tennis Jiri Vesely and Jack Sock and you have a strong field.

Unfortunately for home fans, don’t expect Michael Venus to put up much of a fight against the bigger names of world tennis purely because he lacks the skills to match it with the guys ranked inside the top 100. However Finn Tearney and Wesley Whitehousse could surprise a few pairs in the doubles as they did last year.

Pick for the final
Kosch will beat Ferrer