Jakub Mensik stuns Taylor Fritz to set up Miami Open final with Djokovic

The rising Czech star defeated world No 4 Fritz 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4) in a pulsating two-hour-and-24-minute semi-final at the Hard Rock Stadium.

In a serve-dominated contest, Fritz secured the only break of the match in the second set while Mensik won the first and third set tiebreaks that proved pivotal.

Mensik landed 72% of his first serves and blasted 25 aces as he won 82% of points behind his first delivery and 54% on his second serve.

The 19-year-old, who is seeking his maiden title, is through to his second career final and first at ATP Masters 1000 level.

Mensik is just the fifth teenager in the last 20 years to reach the Miami Open men's singles final â” and he could not be in better company on the list.

Since 2005, Rafael Nadal (2005), Novak Djokovic (2007), Jannik Sinner (2021) and Carlos Alcaraz (2022) are the only other men to feature in a Miami title match before turning 20.

Mensik will now face 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, who he has named as his biggest idol, in Sunday's final. The duo previously met in Shanghai last year, with the Serbian triumphing in three sets.

On facing Djokovic for second time, Mensik said: "I'm actually a different player (compared to the match in Shanghai).

"I was kind of nervous. I'm not saying that I would not be on Sunday. I was not able to hold my nerves very well in the match. I've just grown up a little mentally.

"Playing right now, I feel that the conditions and everything here suits me very well. I feel really comfortable on the court. So, I'm going there on Sunday to win. No doubt on that."

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