It means that Venus and Croatian Nikola Mektic take the title, for their first as a new combination. It will be recorded as Venus’ second Auckland trophy, after he won the tournament here with Mate Pavic in 2016.

Gael Monfils beat Zizou Bergs 6-3 6-4 in the Auckland Classic final on Saturday to become the oldest player to win an ATP Tour title in a boost before his Australian Open campaign.

Gael Monfils claimed his 13th ATP title in Auckland. The Frenchman played in his 35th ATP final and ousted Belgium's Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 37 minutes, lifting a trophy and writing history books.