Riding the Wave of Confidence

A good week in Auckland for Mensik...

Now, he needs to keep his momentum going. Outdoor hardcourts are without a doubt his strongest surface, by quite a lot, especially compared to the natural surfaces. It was not an easy week in Auckland, with some difficult weather and delays. It could have gotten ugly in the final against Baez if he had not managed to make a comeback from 6-3 down in the second set tiebreaker, finishing in straight sets. Not the easiest of opponents either... Medjedovic, Mpetshi Perricard, Marozsan, and in-form Baez. Just a great way for him to head into this Australian Open, if he is not too fatigued. He should be fine, with at least a few days' rest. Also, not the most difficult opening round against Carreno-Busta. It would have been very different if it were quite a few years ago, but this is a completely different version of PCB these days. While he can still win a match now and then, he is quite harmless on the main tour level most of the time. They actually faced two times in 2025, with Mensik winning both times (Auckland and Davis Cup), dropping just a single set.

Mensik has usually excelled in matches against attacking players; he is excellent at absorbing their pace and being dangerous in return games, while being able to hold his own service games, thanks to his massive first serve. Also, his second serve seems less shaky lately, with some better placement and fewer double faults. PCB is very solid from the baseline with a decent serve, but the fact that he is not the strongest returner and doesn't possess a lot of variety will not help him here (good strengths against Mensik's profile). Mensik is the better server, the better returner, and also has the most overall firepower, even if his forehand can be erratic at times. PCB lacks any real weapons that can bother Mensik. Unless Mensik is fatigued and gets dragged into a battle in somewhat hot conditions, I don't see a lot of paths to victory for the Spaniard...