Two former ASB Classic champions have woken to some good news, with both elevated to the main draw of the men’s competition starting on Monday.

The 2024 ASB Classic men’s singles champion, Alejandro Tabilo from Chile, was originally slated to play in qualifying starting today at the Manuka Doctor Arena in Auckland against kiwi wild card Isaac Becroft.

With the withdrawals, after some players have gone deep into the tournaments in Australia, Tabilo has earned a wildcard in the final field.

Tabilo, who moved into the world’s top-20 after his win in Auckland and other strong performances, is now at #81 and initially missed out on direct entry.

He is joined by veteran Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut has enjoyed a strong career in Auckland, winning the ASB Classic in 2016 and 2018 along with the semifinals in 2014. Like defending ASB Classic champion Gael Monfils, it is anticipated that 2026 will be Agut’s final year on the ATP Tour.

French veteran Adrian Mannarino, a former Auckland finalist, has also been promoted to the main draw.

Their promotion into the main draw has come following some withdrawals, headed by veteran Stan Wawrinka who informed organisers today that he will no longer be travelling to Auckland, after his Switzerland team has advanced to the semifinals of the United Cup.

The team had to travel from Perth to Sydney with the final on Sunday evening (NZ time).

“These things happen unfortunately. It is good that Stan has been playing so strongly but on the other side of things, it can come with unexpected clashes with schedules if they progress through build-up tournaments,” said ASB Classic Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin.

“We lose Stan which is disappointing but now we have two former champions guaranteed of being in the first round.”

The update order of play for today is:

Centre Court – start 14:30
[WC] Anton Shepp (NZL) vs [7] Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)

Women’s Semifinals from 17:30
Alexandra Eala (PHI) vs Xinyu Wang H+CHN)
Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs Iva Jovic (USA).

Grandstand – start 11:00
[WC] Isaac Becroft (NZL) vs [Alt] Hugo Gaston (FRA)
[Alt] Vit Kopriva (CZE) vs Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP)
[3] Mattia Bellucci (ITA) vs [Alt] Geoffrey Blancaneaux (FRA)

Court 1 – start 11:00
Shintaro Mochizuki (JPN) vs [8] Juan Manuel Cerundolo (ARG)
[4] Cristian Garin (CHI) vs Eliot Spizzirri (USA)
[Alt] Patrick Kypson (USA) vs Emilio Nava (USA)
Dalibor Svrcina (CZE) vs [5] Hamad Medjedovic (SRB)