Roberto Carballes Baena vs Lucas Pouille Prediction & Betting Tips - ASB Classic

Prediction published on 05/01/2025, 08:31  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 05/01/2025 at 09:32 in Tennis Predictions

Two unseeded players face each other in the first round of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. Roberto Carballes Baena takes on Lucas Pouille in this outdoor hard court tournament. Who'll win? Read our match prediction.

Lucas Pouille is at 104th in the live rankings and will hope for a better week than in Brisbane. Last week saw him beaten in the second qualifying round to Nishesh Basavareddy after previously beating Jason Kubler.

The Frenchman ended last year in good form though and will want to get back to that level. He won one hard court Challenger Tour title and reached two other finals with 13 wins in 15 matches.

Roberto Carballes Baena is 59th in the live rankings and also made a disappointing start to the new season. He was beaten in the first round of the Hong Kong Open by Gabriel Diallo after winning the first set.

He had a strange end to 2024, managing to lose three matches in two tournaments. He lost in the Paris Masters qualifying rounds, was reinstated as a lucky loser and then was beaten in round one. 

Not since September has he reached a hard court quarter-final. His last big win was a Challenger Tour title but that was on clay. We tip Pouille to win this match.