Mar 28, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Jakub Mensik (CZE) celebrates after his match against Taylor Fritz (USA)(not pictured) in a men's singles semifinal on day eleven of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.

tennis

Jakub Mensik Stuns Taylor Fritz in Three Set Thriller to Reach First ATP Masters-1000 Final!

The Czech serve machine faces idol Novak Djokovic for the trophy on Sunday.

Mar 28, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Jakub Mensik (CZE) celebrates after his match against Taylor Fritz (USA)(not pictured) in a men's singles semifinal on day eleven of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.

Teenage prodigy Jakub Mensik became the third lowest ranked finalist in Miami Open history on Friday, when he edged Taylor Fritz 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(4) in the semifinal. It took a barrage of aces and powerful cross-court groundstrokes for the Czech star to down the World No. 4 – he came clutch in both tiebreakers to defy the home crowd and deny the American a spot in the summit clash.

Courtesy of this monumental victory, Mensik entered his first Masters-1000 final on tour. For Fritz, it was an opposition serving masterclass that was too powerful to endure until the end. Mensik has now booked his spot in a dream final vs childhood hero Novak Djokovic in a clash of generations and game styles.

Mensik-Fritz Miami Open Tussle Goes Down to the Wire

Opting for a deeper court position, Jakub Mensik used the backhand slice drop to his advantage, testing out Fritz’s legs after his gruesome encounter vs Berrettini. With both players trading blows, it was the World No. 54 who prevailed in the opening set tiebreak, claiming it 7-4.

Mensik, who also slayed Indian Wells champion Jack Draper earlier in the tournament, sent down 25 aces in the match. Although Fritz had more winners than him, an uncanny 20 forehand unforced errors proved to be detrimental. Despite claiming the second set 6-4, the American No. 1 found himself hanging by a thread in the decider.

The 2024 US Open finalist was two points away from defeat at 4-5 and 5-6, but managed to push the match into a tiebreaker. But when Mensik won a 27-point rally to set up match points, it was the endgame. Provided he can get his hands on the coveted trophy in Miami Gardens, Czechia’s latest superstar will rise to an incredible No. 24 on the ATP Rankings.

Jakub Mensik Looking Forward to Novak Djokovic Showdown in Miami Final

At 19, Jakub Mensik is the third youngest finalist at this event – behind the elite Spanish duo of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. On Sunday, he will play his first Masters-1000 final against a player he has looked up to for very long. “It feels incredible [on reaching the final against Djokovic],” Mensik ecstatically claimed.

When idols become your rivals ❤️@mensik_jakub_ 🤝 @DjokerNole @MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/MHaBVZxwNI
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 29, 2025

“For me it was a dream to play against him in Shanghai. For now it’s a bit different. I’m a better player now and I’m going to enjoy it. It’s going to be really exciting. Let’s see what’s going to happen [on] Sunday.”

Djokovic won the solitary match-up against Mensik 6-7(4) 6-1 6-4 in Shanghai 2024.

ATP

ATP Masters 1000

Jakub Mensik

Miami Open

Novak Djokovic

Taylor Fritz

Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.