The ATP 250 event in Auckland is the last chance for players to fine tune their game ahead of the Australian Open and also potentially win a title in a field devoid of the very best players in the world. Day 1 features plenty of interesting matchups that should lead to high quality tennis and very close scorelines all around.
ATP Auckland Day 1 Predictions
Adrian Mannarino vs Eliot Spizziri
Head-to-head: first meeting
Mannarino’s 2025 was well below his expectations surely, but strong runs to the last 16 at Cincinnati and the US Open keep him in the Top 70, and the 37-year-old will surely try to extend his career as an ATP level player just a while longer. He got a very nice first round draw here and might well be able to get the first win of the season.
Prediction: Mannarino in 2
Jenson Brooksby vs James Watt
Head-to-head: first meeting
Brooksby had a nice comeback year in 2025, making it all the way back to the Top 50, but he will be hoping to go even further this year. With his consistency and retrieving ability he can be a very annoying opponent for just about anyone, even top ranked players, and he should be able to steadily climb up the rankings this year, starting with a good run in Auckland and a win over a guy ranked almost 700 spots below him in the rankings.
Prediction: Brooksby in 2
Emilio Nava vs Sebastian Baez
Head-to-head: Baez 1-0 Nava
While Baez is much higher ranked for a reason, on a hard court the difference is much smaller, with the Argentine heavily prone to losses to lower ranked players on a surface like this. Nava definitely has enough to his game to overcome Baez if he plays to his ability.
Prediction: Nava in 3
Francisco Comesana vs Valentin Royer
Head-to-head: first meeting
Royer had a tough end to 2025 and a bad start to 2026 in Hong Kong, but Comesana on a hard court is one of the kindest draws he could ask for here. The Argentine’s ranking is mostly built on his clay result and on this surface Royer should have the edge in the matchup.
Prediction: Royer in 2
Cameron Norrie vs Hugo Gaston
Head-to-head: Norrie 2-0 Gaston
Gaston is a highly mercurial player who can win matches against much higher ranked players when everything goes right for him, but on average Norrie is a far superior player. The Brit might lack the weapons to hurt the very top players, but his grit and consistency make him a very tough opponent to play against. He has reached the final twice before in Auckland and will surely be looking to go one better this time around.
Prediction: Norrie in 2
Main Photo Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports