Wimbledon semi-finalist joins best ever ASB Classic field

Sam Querrey in action during the 2013 ASB Classic.

2017 Wimbledon semi-finalist Sam Querrey has been added to the ASB Classic line up for next year, in what is being touted as the best male field in the event's history.

World No 13 Querrey joins four other players in the top 20, including world number eight Jack Sock and former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro (world No 11) and two time Auckland champion John Isner (world No 17).

The field also includes 2016 ASB Classic winner Roberto Bautista-Agut and four time champion David Ferrer, who is returning for what will be his Auckland swansong.

The event includes five former champions — Querrey was also a finalist — and clutch of young Next Generation players on the edge of significant breakthrough on the ATP tour.
"This is clearly the best field I have put together," said tournament director Karl Budge.

"To have a field that is all within the world's top 61 players, genuine Grand Slam contenders, nine years' worth of champions and the most exciting next wave of players is an incredible result."

Querrey has had his best year on tour winning two titles, reaching the last four at Wimbledon and the quarter-finals at the US Open. The 30-year-old has recorded wins over Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Dominic Thiem, David Goffin and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

"Auckland's always been one of my favourite tournaments, said Querrey. "The crowds are some of the best all year, the facility is great, the atmosphere is fun, it always has a strong field so you know the players like it and for me it's the perfect preparation for Australia."

Outside the big guns, Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov (world No 51) is the leading light among top young players in the field.

This year the 18 year-old became the youngest person since Rafael Nadal to break in to the World's top 50, and also the youngest to reach a Masters 1000 semi-final, beating Del Potro and Nadal en route.

Four of the eight players to participate in the ATP's Next Gen Final will play in Auckland including winner Hyeon Chung, finalist Andrey Rublev, Shapovalov and Karen Khachanov.

2018 ASB Classic Men's Full Field
Jack Sock (8)
Juan Martin del Potro (11)
Sam Querrey (13)
John Isner (17)
Roberto Bautista Agut (20)
Pablo Cuevas (32)
David Ferrer (37)
Andrey Rublev (39)
Yuichi Sugita (40)
Robin Haase (42)
Steve Johnson (44)
Karen Khachanov (45)
Ryan Harrison (47)
Kyle Edmund (50)
Denis Shapovalov (51)
Joao Sousa (57)
Hyeon Chung (58)
Peter Gojowczyk (60)
Donald Young (61)