Jakub Mensik Advances to First ATP Masters 1000 Quarter-final at Rolex Shanghai Masters

SHANGHAI, October 9, 2024 — In a significant career milestone, Jakub Mensik has captured global attention by advancing to the quarter-finals of an ATP Masters 1000 tournament for the first time. The 19-year-old Czech tennis sensation achieved this feat by defeating Grigor Dimitrov in a thrilling three-set match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Mensik secured his victory over Dimitrov with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win on Wednesday, setting the stage for a highly-anticipated head-to-head with tennis legend Novak Djokovic. The match lasted just over two hours and was characterized by high tension and dramatic exchanges.

“[I am] more than excited. Exciting is really a small word [for how I feel]. But yeah, obviously a dream come true,” Mensik expressed following his win. The young player has been inspired by Djokovic since childhood. “Because of him, I started to play tennis. When I was young and starting to play tennis, he was already on the top. So I was like, ‘Wow, he’s really good’,” he added.

Mensik made history by becoming the youngest quarter-finalist in the tournament’s history. This achievement is further underscored by his impressive performance against Top 10 players, with four consecutive victories noted, including two wins at the Shanghai event.

Mensik’s prowess was evident as he played a pivotal role in the deciding set, initially leading with a break of serve before sealing the win with a decisive backhand return. He acknowledged the mental challenges of the match, stating, “[It was a] very difficult match on the mental side because [there] were a lot of ups and downs. Grigor plays really well and always you have to keep fighting for every point. It’s always tough to stay focused.”

Mensik’s next match against Djokovic promises to be a test of his burgeoning skills and composure on the court. It remains to be seen if he can extend his impressive run in the tournament by securing another victory against a top-tier opponent.