Jakub Mensik’s incredible run at the Miami Open continued with a win over Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals.
The Czech teenager produced one of the shocks of the tournament in the second round, as Mensik beat Indian Wells champion Jack Draper in straight sets, 7-6, 7-6.
A win over Roman Safiullin followed before Tomas Machac’s withdrawal from the Miami Open sent his countryman into the quarterfinals.
Mensik beat his fellow youngster Arthur Fils, 7-6, 6-1, to advance to his first career Masters 1000 semi-final.
Securing the highest-ranked win of his career, Mensik battled past home favorite Taylor Fritz in the last four, as he now sends a message to the American star.
Jakub Mensik says he is ‘excited’ to play Taylor Fritz again after beating him in Miami
Taking to X after his 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 win over the world number four, Mensik sent a message to his 27-year-old opponent.
“Match on Sunday means only one thing… final,” he said.
“What a fight, Taylor Fritz, huge respect bro! I’m excited for more battles in the future.
“You have me, Miami, all love.”
Mensik’s win over Fritz was his seventh over a top ten opponent, as he continues to perform against the very best on the ATP Tour.
| Match | Opponent | Opponent’s rank | Score |
| 2025 Miami Open – SF | Taylor Fritz | 4th | 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 |
| 2025 Miami Open – 2R | Jack Draper | 7th | 7-6, 7-6 |
| 2025 Australian Open – 2R | Casper Ruud | 6th | 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 |
| 2024 Shanghai Masters – 4R | Grigor Dimitrov | 10th | 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 |
| 2024 Shanghai Masters – 2R | Andrey Rublev | 6th | 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2024 Madrid Open – 2R | Grigor Dimitrov | 10th | 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 |
| 2024 Qatar Open – QF | Andrey Rublev | 5th | 6-4, 7-6 |
Following his wins over Draper and Fritz at the Miami Open, Mensik now has the third-highest win % against top ten players among active members of the ATP Tour (minimum ten matches).
- Novak Djokovic – 69%
- Carlos Alcaraz – 63.2%
- Jakub Mensik – 58.3%
What happened the last time Jakub Mensik played Novak Djokovic?
Mensik will face a tough test against six-time champion Novak Djokovic in the final as he searches for his maiden Masters 1000 crown.
The pair have played one another once before on the ATP Tour, at the Shanghai Masters event last year.
Mensik enjoyed a brilliant run to the quarter-finals in China, as he set-up a first career meeting with the Serbian star.
- 2024 Shanghai Masters 4R – Jakub Mensik beat Grigor Dimitrov, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
- 2024 Shanghai Masters 3R – Jakub Mensik beat Alexander Shevchenko, 6-1, 6-7, 6-2
- 2024 Shanghai Masters 2R – Jakub Mensik beat Andrey Rublev, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3
- 2024 Shanghai Masters 1R – Jakub Mensik beat Pedro Martinez, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4
He started well against Djokovic before the Serb broke at 4-4, gifting him the chance to serve out the first set.
Breaking straight back, Mensik fought hard to take things to a tiebreaker, where his serve held firm, winning the first set, 7-6 [7-4].
Djokovic’s level rose in the second, leveling the tie at one set a piece, as they headed to a decider in Shanghai.
Securing the break at 2-3 on Mensik’s serve, Djokovic didn’t look back as he scored a memorable comeback victory over the teenager, 6-7, 6-1, 6-4.
The 19-year-old’s run had come to an end, having pushed Djokovic all the way in a thrilling quarter-final match.
Mensik will no doubt look forward to his second career meeting against the man he once called his tennis ‘idol.’
“My tennis inspiration is Novak Djokovic,” he said last year.
“Because of him, I started to play tennis, he is my biggest idol.
“[Without] him, I wouldn’t be here.”
Mensik and Djokovic will face off for the Miami Open title on Sunday, March 30.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
