ASB Classic champions returning to Auckland

The ASB Classic’s 2018 champions will both defend their titles in 2019.

Women’s champion and world No 9 Julia Goerges and men’s champion Roberto Bautista Agut will return to Auckland in January.

Goerges carried on her sublime form after her win in Auckland, beating top 20 players Daria Kasatkina and Anastasija Sevastova, as well as US Open champion Naomi Osaka, en route to the Charleston Open final in April.

The German also added another three quarter-final (Moscow, Doha and Birmingham) and two semifinal appearances (New Haven and St Petersburg) to round out her careerbest year.

Her standout performance came on the grass courts of Wimbledon, where she reached her first grand slam semifinal, fighting through a number of three-set matches before falling to seven-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams.

Goerges is looking forward to returning to the City of Sails to kick off her 2019 season.

“I love playing in Auckland. It’s one of my favourite tournaments and the best preparation for the Australian Open. I’ve had some great results there and I’m happy to be back as defending champion,” said Goerges.

Roberto Bautista Agut continued his winning form in 2018, capturing the biggest title of his career in Dubai, an ATP World Tour 500 event. The Spaniard also reached the final at Gstaad, semifinals at St Petersburg and Halle and quarter-finals at Munich and Barcelona.

ASB Classic tournament director Karl Budge said the two champions play some of their best tennis in Auckland and that’s why they are crowd favourites.

“Everyone will remember Roberto’s epic semifinal against Robin Haase, and then to back that up the next day in the final against Juan Martin del Potro, it was extraordinary.

“In the women’s final, Julia and Caroline [Wozniacki] were fighting for their maiden ASB Classic title, with Julia coming out on top. It’s just so great to have both our champs back to defend their titles.”

Bautista Agut has been as high as 13 on the world rankings, has won eight ATP titles — including the 2016 and 2018 Auckland tournaments — and is looking to finish the year strongly with a solid showing in Shanghai. The clay court specialist is ranked 25th in the world.

After 13 years on the WTA tour, Goerges has won five singles and five doubles titles. Her world ranking of 9th is the best of her career and she is in the running to be named the WTA’s Most Improved Player of the Year.