Jakub Mensik Calls Qatar Open Victory Over Jannik Sinner One of His Career’s ‘Greatest Matches’

Jakub Mensik now holds a 1-0 head-to-head record over World No.2 Jannik Sinner.

Jakub Mensik Calls Qatar Open Victory Over Jannik Sinner One of His Career’s ‘Greatest Matches’

Jakub Mensik, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Game, Set & Talk, Jannik Sinner HQ)

In Short
  • Jakub Mensik defeated Jannik Sinner at the Qatar Open, marking one of the biggest wins of his career.
  • Sinner is experiencing a downturn, having lost two consecutive tournaments without reaching the finals.
  • Mensik is now competing in Dubai, aiming for his third career title after winning the ASB Classic earlier this year.

Jannik Sinner is having a “little downturn” as he has lost two consecutive tournaments without making the final. After his five-set defeat to eventual runner-up Novak Djokovic in the semifinal of the Australian Open, Sinner fell in three sets in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open.

It’s Jakub Mensik who knocked him out in Doha. The last time Sinner lost two back-to-back events without making the finals was in 2024 when he lost in the quarterfinals of both Wimbledon and the Canadian Open. It was Sinner’s career’s first match against Mensik, who, prior to registering the biggest win of his career by ranking, beat Djokovic in the final of last year’s Miami Open.

Mensik is in Dubai for the second ATP 500 of the Middle East swing. Ahead of starting his campaign against Hubert Hurkacz, the 20-year-old talked about his victory over Sinner.

Obviously, tough loss two days ago, but overall a good week for me. And as you said, I came back to Doha in 2024, when it was my first tournament, so I have really nice memories, and also I really had a great time there. I showed some great tennis, some great performance, so I’m really happy with my game overall. Obviously big high, not just for me but all of the people, that match against Jannik obviously was one of my greatest matches in my young career, so I’m pretty happy.

Jakub Mensik told Tennis TV

Mensik, however, was downed by eventual runner-up Arthur Fils in the semifinals. In Dubai, the Czech ace is chasing the third title of his career. Earlier this year, Mensik clinched the ASB Classic by defeating Sebastian Baez.

Stan Wawrinka lauds Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz for constantly improving their game

Stan Wawrinka is in Dubai, where in the first round, he defeated Benjamin Hassan. At the press conference, he heaped a lot of praise on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, saying they play better than the previous generation. The 40-year-old also lauded them for constantly improving their game.

Jannik Sinner, Stan Wawrinka, Carlos Alcaraz
L-R: Jannik Sinner, Stan Wawrinka, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ, ATP Tour, Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

There is no limit for him and for Jannik. It’s been amazing to watch the way they are playing, the level they have achieved already at such a young age. And as I said, there is no limit, and the future can tell how much they can achieve. As a tennis fan, I like to watch them play because the way they’ve been playing, they are always adding new things to their game.

The Swiss, who will retire after this season, has yet to clash with Alcaraz. But against the Italian, Wawrinka trails 2-4 in the head-to-head matchups.

Both Sinner and Alcaraz have skipped the Dubai event and will return to action at the Indian Wells Masters, the first Masters 1000 of the season. Alcaraz lost to eventual champion Jack Draper in the semifinals in Indian Wells last year, and in the Miami Open, David Goffin knocked him out in the opening round. Sinner was forced to skip both Sunshine Double tournaments due to his three-month doping ban.

While the four-time Grand Slam champion has yet to win a title this year, Alcaraz has already added two trophies to his trophy cabinet. He beat Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final to complete the Career Grand Slam and win his seventh Major, becoming the youngest man to do both.

Later at the Qatar Open, the 22-year-old beat Arthur Fils to win his first title in the ATP 500 Middle East Swing event. The last time Sinner tasted success was in last year’s ATP Finals, where he defended his crown by beating Alcaraz.

Also read: Stefanos Tsitsipas Issues Update on Back Injury Ahead of Dubai Championships Title Defense