In a stunning upset, Fabian Marozsan takes down tennis powerhouse Casper Ruud in Auckland, leaving fans in shock. But that's not all: the ASB Classic delivered more surprises as Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard fought back from the brink to secure his spot in the quarter-finals.
Match Report: January 14, 2026
Fabian Marozsan's victory over Ruud on Wednesday was a remarkable feat, as the Hungarian secured his 10th Top 20 win and a spot in the quarter-finals. Marozsan's success in Auckland continues, having previously defeated Gael Monfils in the first round. This time, he dominated Ruud in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, marking Ruud's third opening-round loss in Auckland.
Marozsan now leads the head-to-head series against the Norwegian, adding to his impressive tour-level record. He'll face Eliot Spizzirri in the next round, who also advanced on Wednesday.
And here's where it gets interesting: Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the Frenchman, saved a match point against British star Cameron Norrie, winning 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4). This thrilling comeback sets up a quarter-final clash against either Jakub Mensik or Hamad Medjedovic.
Top seed Ben Shelton, fresh from his Nitto ATP Finals debut, showcased his prowess by defeating Francisco Comesana 7-5, 6-4. Shelton, with a perfect record against Argentines, now faces a challenging quarter-final against Sebastian Baez, who is on a hot streak himself, having defeated Jenson Brooksby 7-5, 6-0.
Baez, with a 5-0 record this season, poses a significant threat to Shelton, who leads their head-to-head series. This quarter-final promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Luciano Darderi and Eliot Spizzirri also advanced, defeating Alejandro Tabilo and Nuno Borges, respectively. Darderi's win was particularly notable, as he claimed his first victory since October.
Controversial Take: Is Marozsan's success a fluke, or is he a rising star to watch out for? And what's your take on Baez's chances against Shelton? Share your predictions in the comments below!
