World no. 48 Jakub Mensik was not a contented camper through the second day of the ATP Subsequent Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah! The 19-year-old Czech suffered a 4-2, 4-3, 4-2 loss to final yr’s finalist Arthur Fils in an hour and 17 minutes.
An unprecedented scene occurred after the second set on the King Abdullah Sports activities Metropolis. Mensik was was unexpectedly subjected to an anti-doping take a look at throughout the bathroom break after the second set, which brought about his frustration.
Jakub returned to the courtroom after a break and, visibly pissed off, defined all the things to the chair umpire. Nacho Forcadell protected the participant, speaking with one of many supervisors and addressing the irregularity. Nevertheless, the harm was already achieved.
💉🇨🇿 Jakub Mensik was requested to take a drug take a look at *throughout* his match immediately (was fully randomised when it comes to time, nothing particular to Mensik)
By no means heard of that one earlier than 🤔 pic.twitter.com/BNYGdUi09Q
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) December 19, 2024
The Czech misplaced focus and fell 4-2 within the third set, shedding possibilities to qualify for the semi-final. Anti-doping exams are widespread for all athletes. Nevertheless, they go on earlier than or after the match, by no means throughout it!
One thing went incorrect in Jakub’s case, and the main tennis organizations ought to forestall these conditions sooner or later. This incident ought to increase questions concerning the protocols governing in-match procedures and athlete welfare.
Jakub Mensik & Arthur Fils, Subsequent Gen ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Arthur Fils tops Jakub Mensik in straight units
The highest seed Fils performed properly in opposition to Mensik, sealing the deal in beneath 80 minutes. Final yr’s finalist produced extra dependable numbers behind the primary and second serve. Arthur saved 4 of 5 break factors and mounted the stress on the opposite facet.
The Frenchman took 44% of the return factors and turned them into three breaks from seven possibilities. Fils tamed his strokes properly and landed 22 winners and 23 unforced errors. Mensik couldn’t comply with that tempo, spraying 30 unforced errors and ending on the shedding facet.
Athur Fils, Subsequent Gen ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
They’d the same variety of service winners, and Arthur took cost from the baseline. The highest seed dominated the shortest and extra prolonged rallies to maneuver excessive in straight units and maintain his semi-final possibilities alive. They served properly within the opening two video games of the duel.
The Frenchman confronted points at 1-1 and performed in opposition to two break factors. Fils saved them and held for 2-1. Mensik locked the consequence at 2-2 with a fantastic maintain and required one other strong service sport at 2-3. Arthur stepped in and drew the rival’s mistake for 2 set factors.
Fils transformed the second with a deep return that brought about Mensik’s mistake, offering a break and clinching the opener 4-2 in 19 minutes. The highest seed denied a break level within the first sport of the second set and closed it with an ace down the T line.
Jakub Mensik. Subsequent Gen ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Jakub netted a routine forehand within the second sport, struggling a break at 15 and discovering himself in a difficult place. The Czech stored his composure and pulled the break again within the subsequent one after the Frenchman’s unfastened forehand.
Mensik closed the fourth sport with a forehand winner, climbing again and bettering his possibilities. Arthur closed the fifth sport with a service winner and cracked a forehand down the road winner within the subsequent one for 30-15. Jakub grabbed three straight factors to introduce a tie break.
The highest seed began it with a forehand winner and landed a lob winner within the second level for a mini-break and 2-0. Mensik hit a double fault within the third level and fell 5-0 down after a compelled error. The Czech pulled one mini-break again within the eighth level with a backhand winner.
Nacho Forcadell, Subsequent Gen ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Jakub grabbed one other return level, rattling off 4 factors and shifting 5-4 behind. Fils cracked a backhand crosscourt winner within the tenth level for 2 set factors. The highest seed supplied his fourth mini-break at 6-4 with a artful drop shot.
Thus, he opened a 4-2, 4-3 benefit after 53 minutes, hoping for one more good run within the third set. Jakub skilled that anti-doping incident and made a gradual begin to the third a part of the duel. The Czech confronted break factors within the first sport after a double fault.
Jakub Mensik, Subsequent Gen ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
He missed a forehand on the second, struggling a break and shifting nearer to the exit door. Arthur held at love within the second sport with a compelled error to cement the lead. The Frenchman earned one other break level within the third sport. Mensik saved it with a forehand drive-volley winner.
Nonetheless, Arthur grabbed the fourth sport with a service winner for 3-1 and served for the win at 3-2. The highest seed landed a service winner for 3 match factors and sealed the deal on the primary with one other highly effective serve.
