Shanghai
Mensik proving a High 10 conqueror; Will Djokovic be subsequent in Shanghai?
Czech advances to first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final
October 09, 2024
Rolex Shanghai Masters
Jakub Mensik defeats Grigor Dimitrov in three units on Wednesday in Shanghai.
By ATP Workers
#NextGenATP star Jakub Mensik is rapidly turning into a High 10 menace. Will Novak Djokovic be the following participant he stuns?
The 19-year-old from Czechia ousted No. 10 within the PIF ATP Rankings Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 on Wednesday on the Rolex Shanghai Masters to earn his first Lexus ATP Head2Head assembly with Djokovic.
“[I am] greater than excited. Thrilling is known as a small phrase [for how I feel]. However yeah, clearly a dream come true,” Mensik stated. “Due to him, I began to play tennis. After I was younger and beginning to play tennis, he was already on the highest. So I used to be like, ‘Wow, he is actually good’.
“He [won] quite a lot of Grand Slams. And proper now, after I’m 19 and he is nonetheless enjoying, I’ve this opportunity to play towards him. In fact, after I began to play, there was one want — to play towards him. So I am actually pleased that it got here true, and that I can play with him. We’ll see which stage I’m on Friday.”
Keep in mind the identify 🌟#NextGenATP star @mensik_jakub_ information his fourth consecutive High 10 victory to achieve his first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/g5Dvbktirt
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 9, 2024
Mensik will enter the match with confidence understanding he has received 4 consecutive matches towards High 10 opponents, together with two in Shanghai (he’s 4-2 general). Along with his victory towards Dimitrov, the teenager turned the second participant this 12 months (additionally Fabian Maroszan in Miami) to advance to a quarter-final by claiming a number of High 10 wins.
The fourth-placed participant within the PIF ATP Dwell Race To Jeddah additionally eradicated World No. 6 Andrey Rublev within the second spherical en path to his first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final. He’s the youngest quarter-finalist in event historical past.
Mensik led by a service break within the deciding set and unsuccessfully served for the match at 5-3. Nonetheless, he bounced again rapidly within the subsequent recreation and hit a blistering backhand return winner to interrupt for the third time within the match in response to Infosys ATP Stats and seal his victory after two hours and three minutes.
“[It was a] very troublesome match on the psychological aspect as a result of [there] had been quite a lot of ups and downs. Grigor performs very well and all the time you must hold combating for each level,” Mensik stated. “It’s all the time powerful to remain targeted. So yeah, I am actually pleased that I received, however it value me quite a lot of vitality.”