MIAMI OEPN By Emiliano Naftali
Czech rising star Jakub Mensik, one of the most promising players on the ATP Tour, secured his spot in the Miami Open final on Friday at just 19 years old. He battled past world No. 4 Taylor Fritz in the semifinals, winning 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4).
Photo Gabriel Matteazzi
Mensik will play his first-ever Masters 1000 final this Sunday, facing 37-year-old Serbian legend Novak Djokovic in a true generational clash.
The young Czech will break into the top 30 of the ATP rankings on Monday, jumping from his current No. 54. He also became the first Czech player to reach a Masters 1000 final since 2015, when Tomas Berdych achieved the feat.
Mensik showcased his monstrous serve against Fritz, firing 25 aces to prevail in a tightly contested battle that was decided in a third-set tiebreak.
He also avenged his loss to Fritz at the 2023 US Open, where the American allowed him just three games.
“The return was tough today,” Mensik admitted. “We both served really well, so I didn’t have many chances to break him. The tiebreaks were key for me. I came here to show my best in those moments,” he said with a smile.
After the match, Mensik signed the camera with a special message thanking Leo Messi, whom he greeted before stepping onto the court. “That was the key today,” he said with a grin.
Mensik has faced Djokovic only once before, losing their encounter last year in Shanghai.