New Zealand’s sole ATP 250 tournament takes place this week, with the 2026 ASB Classic unfolding in Auckland. While much of the tour is over in Melbourne already, names like Ben Shelton and Casper Ruud will be in action as they seek some late momentum heading into the year’s first Grand Slam. Read on for a breakdown of all there is to know about this tournament, including the latest betting odds, dark horses and value bets in Auckland.
ASB Classic odds and favorites
Here’s what tennis sportsbooks have to say about the outright favorites at Auckland’s ASB Classic this week:
Men’s 2026 Auckland ATP betting odds
- Ben Shelton – 4.50 (+350)
- Casper Ruud – 6.50 (+550)
- Jakub Mensik – 7.50 (+650)
- Alex Michelsen – 10.00 (+900)
- Jenson Brooksby – 13.00 (+1200)
Despite an absence of raw star power this year, the field in Auckland is still very competitive. The sole top-10 player – Shelton – leads the betting odds to win the event, with the American priced at 4.50 (+350). Ruud and Mensik are right behind on 6.50 (+550) and 7.50 +650) respectively, while Mensik, Michelsen and Brooksby are all priced reasonably too. Big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and locally-raised Cam Norrie sit just outside of the top-five favorites, each paying 15.00 (+1400) to take home the title).
Top dark horses for ATP Auckland 2026
If you fancy getting after some longer odds ahead of the tournament starting, here are the dark horse prospects I’m high on this week:
- Gael Monfils
- Marcos Giron
- Aleksandar Kovacevic
- Roberto Bautista Agut
Gael Monfils @ 29.00 (+2800)
Headlining my dark horses is French veteran Monfils, who plays Auckland for the final time having announced that 2026 will be his last year on tour. He comes into the event as defending champion, having put together a searing run last January to take out the title.
Monfils has tailed off in the past six months after a late career resurgence in 2024 and early 2025. However, with his wife having just won the WTA title in Auckland, and the 39-year-old playing relaxed tennis ahead of his retirement, odds of 29.00 (+2800) feel far too long.
Marcos Giron @ 29.00 (+2800)
Giron arrives in Auckland off the back of a semi-final run in Hong Kong where the American was playing some sharp tennis. He looked far better than his No 64 rank as he took out defending champion Alexandre Muller and pushed eventual champion Alexander Bublik to a deciding set.
It’ll be quick and hot in Auckland, which suits the 32-year-old’s athleticism and strong net game. Given his form and this event’s propensity to throw up a few surprises, I’m high on him making a deep run.
Aleksandar Kovacevic @ 51.00 (+5000)
Another American in excellent form is Aleksandar Kovacevic. The 27-year-old also crossed the Tasman Sea off the back of a semi-final run, his in Brisbane where he beat Nick Kyrgios, Cam Norrie and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard before falling to Brandon Nakashima in the last four.
Kovacevic is at a career-high ranking currently, and is 2-2 vs the top 10 in the last year. He’s full of belief and playing the kind of tennis that wins matches – attributes that should have him priced shorter than 51.00 (+5000) in my eyes.
Roberto Bautista Agut @ 67.00 (+6600)
You want dark horses? Here’s a real one. Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut took a last-minute wildcard to get into Auckland after Stan Wawrinka withdrew. Like the Swiss, he’s well on the other side of 35 and likely entering the final year of his career.
The results have tailed off for Bautista Agut in recent months with his ranking slipping to No 90. However, he has beaten the likes of Norrie, Holger Rune, Jakub Mensik and Frances Tiafoe in the last year. What makes me high on the Spaniard is his track record in Auckland and overall pedigree: he’s a two-time champ on these courts and has 12 ATP titles to his name. I fancy a resurgence here at odds of 67.00 (+6660).
Betting tips and value bets for Men’s ASB Classic 2026:
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. For those eager to get involved in some betting this week, here are the three punts I recommend.
- Monfils to win @ 29.00 (+2800)
I expounded the case for Monfils in Auckland already in our dark horses section, but let me expand a little. The Frenchman is one of – if not the – most popular figures on the ATP Tour. Playing in his final year, and as defending champion, he’ll have immense support in Auckland. Monfils is a momentum player – he rides the energy of crowds, of which there will be loads this week.
His draw has also been kind. Sure, Fabian Marozsan in round one is no cake walk, but navigate that and he’ll fancy his chances of taking out second seed Ruud in round two. The duo have played several times on the UTS Tour so the Norwegian’s game is one Monfils is familiar with. Prevail, and I’m picking he’ll have a handy run to the title, with the remaining seeds in his half (Mensik, Norrie) ripe for upsets.
- Fourth quarter to win @ 3.75 (+275)
Don’t fancy going all in on a 29.00 (+2800) punt? Fair enough – take a bit of the risk off with this bet then. It includes Monfils winning, but also covers Ruud taking out the title as well as two other mercurial players in Adrian Mannarino and Marozsan.
This is as good a place to note as any that I’m not high on top seed Shelton’s chances this year. The American will be playing with an eye on the Australian Open, where he’s defending semi-final points. A win for him would be getting two or three matches under his belt then heading to Melbourne with a few days to prepare – not playing all the way until the day before the tournament starts.
- Kovacevic to beat Hamad Medjedovic – 2.30 (+130)
If you’re after a little more immediacy in your betting, this clash will take place on Tuesday New Zealand time. Medjedovic is a good player, but I’m not confident in his ability to get past Kovacevic. The Serb hasn’t won three matches in a row for six months, and has had to make his way through qualifying here.
Kovacevic, on the other hand, rides good form into Auckland, as touched on above. Back the American to continue playing like a top-30 player and get through this first round match for a handy 2.30 (+130) payout.
