Miami: Jakub Mensik arranges title conflict vs. Novak Djokovic!

Jakub Mensik will chase his first Masters 1000 crown on Sunday towards his idol, Novak Djokovic! The younger Czech reached the title conflict on the Miami Open following a good 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 overcome the house favourite Taylor Fritz in two hours and 25 minutes. 

Mensik saved his composure within the closing phases of the duel to turn into the primary Czech participant in a Masters 1000 last since Tomas Berdych in 2015. The younger gun can also be the primary participant born in 2005 to notch a Masters 1000 last. 

With these factors, Jakub will debut within the top-30 on Monday. 

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 29, 2025

Mensik and Fritz pushed one another to the boundaries at Onerous Rock Stadium. The lower-ranked participant clinched 5 factors greater than his rival, together with the pivotal ones in each tie breaks. There was just one break in all the match! 

Taylor secured it originally of the second set however couldn’t carry the win dwelling regardless of protecting his preliminary shot intact in 17 video games! Mensik clinched 5 mini-breaks and made the distinction when it mattered probably the most. 

Jakub Mensik, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

The American denied two break factors within the fourth sport of the ultimate set and offered that lone break of serve. Jakub made the distinction behind the second serve, though all of it got here right down to the final couple of factors. The Czech fired 40 winners and 37 unforced errors.

Fritz responded with a high-quality 39-35 ratio, battling onerous and outplaying his opponent on the web. They remained neck and neck from the baseline, and Jakub took cost in service winners, firing 12 greater than his rival and making the distinction.

They served properly within the opening set. Taylor survived a deuce in video games seven and 9 to maintain his rival away from break probabilities. The set went right into a tie break, and Mensik solid an early benefit. Fritz pulled the mini-break again within the seventh level and leveled the rating at 4-4.

Jakub Mensik & Taylor Fritz, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Nevertheless, Jakub landed a forehand crosscourt winner within the ninth level for a mini-break. He drew the rival’s mistake with a high-quality assault at 6-4 to clinch the opener 7-6 in 52 minutes. The one break of the second set got here within the first sport. 

Mensik netted a backhand to drop serve and fall behind earlier than Fritz painted a backhand down the road winner within the subsequent one for 2-0. The American closed the fourth sport with a service winner and secured the sixth after a deuce with a robust serve. 

Jakub Mensik, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Jakub served properly after that break he suffered, however there was no probability to tug it again. Taylor introduced the set dwelling with an ace in sport ten, introducing a decider after an hour and a half. The Czech served properly within the last set and earned an opportunity to seize a break at 2-1. 

He missed two break probabilities, permitting his rival to stay on the optimistic facet. Fritz served to remain within the match at 4-5 and closed the sport with a service winner for extra drama. Mensik fired a forehand winner within the twelfth sport, reaching a deuce and transferring two factors away from the end line.

Taylor Fritz, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Nevertheless, Taylor held and launched a deciding tie break. The house participant netted a forehand within the third level and fell behind. Jakub misplaced the benefit following a careless backhand within the fifth level. He missed a backhand within the seventh level to fall 4-3 behind. 

A youngster cracked two winners for a 5-4 benefit and welcomed the rival’s backhand error within the tenth level for 6-4 and two match factors. Mensik drew Fritz’s mistake on the primary, rattling off 4 factors and reserving his place within the title conflict.