Jakub Mensik almost withdrew from the Miami Open due to physical issues. However, it did not happen, and the young Czech wrote one of the most beautiful stories of the season. At 19 years and six months, Mensik became the sixth-youngest Masters 1000 champion.
Jakub claimed his first ATP title over his idol and mentor Novak Djokovic, toppling the legend 7-6, 7-6 in the final after a massive battle. Thus, he added 1000 ATP points to his tally and passed 30 rivals on the ATP ranking list to find himself in top-25.
Mensik returned home to Prostejov and withdrew from next week's Monte Carlo Masters. The young gun will enjoy a couple of days off the court following a massive success before seeking new goals in the upcoming months.
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Jakub started his Miami Open campaign against Roberto Bautista Agut and moved through in three sets. He met the Indian Wells champion Jack Draper in the second round and prevailed in two tie breaks for a notable win and a place in the last 32.
Catching the rhythm, the Czech ousted Roman Safiullin without spending too much time on the court and moved into the last 16. There, his compatriot Tomas Machac gave him a walkover, propelling a teenager into the quarter-final.
Jakub claimed the opening set against Arthur Fils in the tie break before dominating the second to move into the last four. Facing his second top-10 rival of the fortnight, Jakub bested Taylor Fritz 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 after a thriller.
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The young Czech did not break his rival. However, he suffered only one break in the second set and outplayed a top-10 opponent in two tie breaks to book a place in his first Masters 1000 final. Seeking his first ATP title, Jakub faced his idol Novak Djokovic.
Mensik denied Djokovic's 100th ATP title with a 7-6, 7-6 victory in two hours and three minutes. They stayed neck and neck after exchanging two breaks in the opening set. However, the young gun took charge in both tie breaks to bring the win home and lift a trophy.
Jakub will start his clay-court swing at the ATP 500 event in Munich in two weeks.
