Jakub Mensik heads to the Australian Open after winning the singles title in Auckland

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Third-seeded Jakub Mensik served 18 aces Saturday on his way to a 6-3, 7-6 (7) win over Sebastien Baez in the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Auckland.

The 20-year-old from the Czech Republic, ranked 18th, saved three set points in the second-set tiebreak to claim his second ATP Tour title.

He now heads to the Australian Open in which he will play Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta in the first round. Baez, who beat top-seeded American Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals in Auckland, will play Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round in Melbourne,

Mensik breezed through the first set in 31 minutes with 11 aces and served for the second set at 6-5. But Baez broke him for the first time in the match and led 6-3 in the tiebreak before Mensik won three straight points.

Mensik gained his second match point with his 18th ace, then took the final point off Baez's serve to seal the match.

“I would say it has been a great start of the year,” Mensik said. “Obviously, I'm super happy after the preparation and pre-season. Seb is a great fighter. It's difficult to hit a winner against him."

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic hits a forehand return to Sebastian Baez of Argentina in the men's singles final of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (Alan Lee/ Photosport via AP)

Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic poses with his trophy after defeating Sebastian Baez of Argentina in the men's singles final of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (Alan Lee/ Photosport via AP)

Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic poses with his trophy after defeating Sebastian Baez of Argentina in the men's singles final of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (Alan Lee/ Photosport via AP)

Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic serves to Sebastian Baez of Argentina in the men's singles final of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (Alan Lee/ Photosport via AP)

TORONTO (AP) — James Harden had 31 points and 10 assists, Jordan Miller scored 19 points and the Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak to five games by beating the Toronto Raptors 121-117 in overtime on Friday night.

Ivica Zubac had 16 points and 14 rebounds, Cam Christie scored 16 points and Kris Dunn had 15 as the Clippers won for the 12th time in 14 games since starting the season 6-21.

Toronto’s Scottie Barnes scored 24 points and Brandon Ingram had 19.

The Clippers are 7-14 on the road. They've won four of their past five away from home.

Kawhi Leonard missed his team’s lone regular-season visit to Toronto because of a sprained right ankle. Leonard won the 2019 NBA championship with the Raptors.

The Raptors lost for the second time in 21 games when leading after three quarters.

Toronto led 109-101 with 3:35 remaining in regulation, but missed six straight shots as Harden forced overtime with a personal 8-0 run. Harden made four straight free throws to begin OT.

Harden shot 10 for 27 and finished 2 for 15 from 3-point range. He went 9 for 10 at the free throw line.

Barnes scored with 55 seconds left in the extra session to make it a one-point game before Harden answered with a pull-up jumper.

Toronto’s Jamal Shead had 15 points and a career-high 13 assists. Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick each scored 15 points and Sandro Mamukelashvili had 13.

Zubac returned after sitting out Wednesday’s home win over Washington because of a sprained left ankle.

Toronto’s Immanuel Quickley (back spasms) missed his second straight game, while RJ Barrett (left ankle) missed his fourth straight.

Clippers: At Washington on Monday.

Raptors: Open a five-game Western road trip at the Lakers on Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Toronto Raptors' Brandon Ingram, center, battles with Los Angeles Clippers' Cam Christie (12) and Kobe Sanders, second from right, during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors' Scottie Barnes (4) drives past Los Angeles Clippers' Yanic Konan Niederhauser (14) during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Clippers' James Harden (1) shoots over Toronto Raptors' Collin Murray-Boyles (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Clippers' James Harden, left, looks to pass the ball over Toronto Raptors' Scottie Barnes, right, during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Los Angeles Clippers' James Harden (1) drives past Toronto Raptors' Brandon Ingram, left, during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)