There’s no place like home. Just ask Michael Venus. Playing in his birth city on Saturday, the New Zealander teamed with Croat Mate Pavic to win the doubles title at the ASB Classic, his countrymen cheering him on as they defeated No. 4-seeded Americans Eric Butorac and Scott Lipsky 7-5, 6-4.

Venus/Pavic didn’t drop a set en route to the title.

“I was a little bit surprised we played that good today,” Pavic told the crowd afterward. “Mike was a bit emotional today because he played a final in front of all of you guys.”  

Venus became the first Auckland champion from New Zealand since Marcus Daniell partnered with Horia Tecau to win the 2010 title.

With the first set on serve at 5-all, Butorac/Lipsky fell behind 0-40 and were broken at love. Venus/Pavic would consolidate the break to take the 33-minute stanza.

The New Zealand/Croatian combo would grab another break in the fifth game of the second set to distance themselves for good. Amidst shouts of “GO, KIWI!” Venus served out the match in front of the home crowd in 69 minutes. They improved to 19-12 lifetime on the ATP World Tour and 2-2 in finals, their first title coming last year in Nice.

“I think Kiwi tennis is in good hands right now with Michael playing so well, also Artem [Sitak] and Marcus,” said a gracious Butorac. “I hope the fans continue to support them.”

The champs finished with 20 winners to 21 unforced errors.

On February 12^th, Milos Raonic will trade in his tennis shoes for a pair of basketball sneakers.

What an honour and amazing dream come true, I get to compete in the @NBA All Star Weekend. I will be playing in the Celeb Game.

— Milos Raonic (@milosraonic) January 14, 2016

The Thornhill, Ontario native has been tapped to join seven-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady, former pro Rick Fox and Canadian basketball star Natalie Achonwa in representing Team Canada at the All-Star Celebrity Game, held during the NBA’s All-Star Game weekend in Toronto. They will be coached by Canadian recording artist Drake, two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash and Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista.

Taking on Team Canada will be Team USA, coached by Kevin Hart and featuring actors Michael B. Jordan and Anthony Anderson, comedian Nick Cannon, former NBA players Chauncey Billups and Muggsy Bogues, and WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne.

Fourth seeds Eric Butorac and Scott Lipsky will look to win their third ATP World Tour team title after defeating Julian Knowle and Oliver Marach 6-1, 6-4 to reach the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland on Friday.

The Americans also triumphed in Estoril seven years ago and lifted the trophy at the end of last year in Valencia. In Saturday’s final they will face Croatian Mate Pavic and home favourite Michael Venus, who beat wild cards Marcus Daniell and Artem Sitak 6-2, 6-3.

“We finished last season strong, winning in Valencia, and are happy to get off to a great start early in 2016,” said Butorac. “Auckland is one of our favourite tournaments and the atmosphere on centre court is always electric. We know we won’t be the fan favourites in the final, but it will be a great experience nonetheless.”

Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares won two matches on Friday to reach their first ATP World Tour final together at the Apia International Sydney. The British/Brazilian duo defeated Australians Matt Reid and Jordan Thompson 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals before later edging Polish pair Lukasz Kubot and Marcin Matkowski 7-5, 2-6, 10-3 in the semi-finals.

“It was a great win for us today,” said Murray, reacting to the semi-finals. “Bruno played some crazy points in the tie-break. I was just along for the ride! Conditions were very tough because it was so windy. It’s great to be in our first final so early in the season and we’re looking forward to getting out on centre court tomorrow and competing for a trophy.”

In the final they will face fourth seeds Rohan Bopanna and Florin Mergea, who defeated Thomaz Bellucci and Leonardo Mayer 7-6(8), 6-4 in 83 minutes. Bopanna and Mergea, who finished last season as runners-up at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals (l. to Rojer/Tecau), will challenge for their third title together.

“We’re really happy to reach the final here in Sydney. It’s our first tournament of the year and it’s indeed a great feeling,” said Bopanna, who won the title last year with Daniel Nestor. “We have been playing some confident tennis in the past few matches, so that’s a boost as a team.

“After the way we finished 2015, to start the season winning matches and having another shot at a title, it gives us a lot of confidence not only going into the final tomorrow, but also for the upcoming Grand Slam. Also, for me personally, it’s good to be back in the final and have the chance to retain my title.”

Third seed Viktor Troicki will attempt to retain his Apia International Sydney crown when he faces fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov in Saturday’s final.

With rain forcing a premature end to Thursday’s proceedings, both Troicki and Dimitrov played twice on Friday, finishing their quarter-final clashes before taking to the court in the semi-finals.

“I really like [Sydney],” said Troicki. “I played the finals in 2011 also; won last year; back in the finals again. Tough opponent tomorrow, but looking forward to it. I like playing here.” 

After coming from a set down earlier in the day to edge Nicolas Mahut, Troicki again went the distance in his semi-final, battling from behind to defeat Teymuraz Gabashvili 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in just over two hours.

“It was a good day, successful day,” said Troicki. “I played good tennis considering the conditions today. Tough mentally going on and off the court all the time.

“It was quite windy also sometimes during the match, and I managed to play well in those conditions. I’m happy and glad that tomorrow I’m playing a bit later so I will have time to rest. But I feel fine. I feel fit. This is what I worked for the last month and a bit more, since getting here, for the preparations in Australia.”

Meanwhile, Dimitrov was a 6-2, 7-6(4) winner over Gilles Muller, withstanding 12 aces and winning 79 per cent of his service points. The Bulgarian had earlier finished off the third set of his quarter-final win over Alexandr Dolgopolov.

“I’m happy to be back in a final,” said Dimitrov, “I’m aiming definitely higher and looking at the big picture right now. Whether it’s Brisbane or Sydney or any other tournament, it’s just as important as any other Grand Slam event or any of the [Masters] 1000s.

“I’m just taking this very seriously, but at the same time trying to enjoy the moment. I think I know when you do that, you feel happier.

“It’s been good day in the office for me, so to speak,” continued the Bulgarian. “I was pretty tired yesterday, I have to be honest. Four times on and off the court and I played against Alex in tough conditions. That took a lot out of me.

“When I came back today I felt good as new. I stretched, went through my routines, a little bit of a hit, and I think after I was very happy to complete the match with Alex. Then coming out for the second match was just like a new day for me. I didn’t think so much of the previous match or how I’m going to finish or what I’m going to do. I was just trying to focus on what was important to me.”

The 29-year-old Troicki lifted his second ATP World Tour trophy in Sydney last year as a qualifier, with victory over Mikhail Kukushkin in the final. The Serbian will look to defeat Dimitrov for the first time in three meetings on Saturday, with Dimitrov having prevailed when the pair met in Basel four years ago and again just last week in Brisbane.

The 24-year-old Dimitrov is chasing his fourth ATP World Tour title and first in 18 months, since triumphing at The Queen’s Club in June 2014.

“Last week I was down a set and a break against him,” said Dimitrov. “He plays good tennis. All-round player. He knows his way around here pretty well. I’ve seen a couple of his matches, so obviously he’s capable of playing incredible tennis.

“I think the match is pretty even. It’s a great way for both of us to come out there and perform. Of course I like the odds on my side. Been playing better each match and feeling confident with each win, so that really helps a lot coming into a final.”