Nicolas Almagro makes his sixth appearance in Auckland after a strong season in 2011 with three titles and five finals.

The hard-hitting Spaniard made a superb start to the season with back to back ATP titles in Costa do Sauipe and Buenos Aires. He reached his third successive final a week later in Acapulco where his 13 match winning streak came to an end with a loss to countryman Ferrer.

Almagro collected his third title of the year in Nice before reaching his fifth final in 2011 in Hamburg.
The 26-year-old has 10 singles titles to his name – all on his favoured clay surface. His best showings at Grand Slams are two quarterfinals at the French Open in 2008 and last year.