Taylor Fritz believes Jakub Mensik has a chance of beating Novak Djokovic at the Miami Open final

Novak Djokovic will face Jakub Mensik for the second time in his career, their first was at the 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters.

Taylor Fritz believes Jakub Mensik has a chance of beating Novak Djokovic at the Miami Open final

Jakub Mensik, Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz (X/ATP/Sky Sports)

Jakub Mensik is set to make history at the ATP Masters 1000 Miami Open should he win the title. But that might come only with immense effort as he’s set to face an experienced and in-form Novak Djokovic in the final on Sunday (March 30). However, American Taylor Fritz believes that the 19-year-old has a chance of upsetting the former World No.1.

Mensik has proven that he can play against any player and battle for the win in Miami. The Czech teen has been outstanding and has only dropped one set since the Miami Open began. He showed that against Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals, winning 82 percent of first-serve points in the match.

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Mensik claimed the first set before Fritz got back into the match in the second forcing the match to a decider. It was Fritz who found himself within two points of defeat on serve at 4-5 and 5-6 in the third set but clawed his way back into the third-set tie-break. But that was not enough as Mensik maintained his lead and earned the victory in 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4).

Fritz, who was impressed by Mensik’s performance was asked if the Czech Republic star could beat Djokovic in the final. The American wasted no time to state during his press conference that the 19-year-old star has a good chance of upsetting the former World No.1.

That doesn’t console me, I was unable to play at the necessary level in either of the two tiebreaks, so I feel horrible. His serve is great, it has always been powerful, but now he also places it with incredible precision. It’s also amazing how he has improved in all aspects of his game in a short time, I think he might have a chance to beat Djokovic, it all depends on whether the Serbian can read his serve better than I can.

Taylor Fritz said via Miami Open Press

Mensik currently seats as World No.54 in the ATP rankings, but he’s expected to climb 24 places and break into the Top 30 even if he doesn’t win the Miami Open. He will be World No.24 if he defeats Djokovic in the Miami Open final.

Jakub Mensik excited about the experiences he has gotten in his journey in the ATP Tour

Jakub Mensik hasn’t had the fame that fellow teenager Joao Fonseca has enjoyed, but he has had a steady improvement on his game. It can be traced to his first full season on tour in the 2024 season and even in 2023. He reached the third round of the 2023 US Open before losing to Taylor Fritz. When asked how he has been able to climb the ATP rankings in just over a year. He narrated that he has been enjoying the experiences the journey to the top has given him.

Jakub Mensik Miami Open
Jakub Mensik (image via Instagram @mensik.jakub)

It’s my journey, last year was my first year on the ATP Tour, so I was taking the experiences. Everything was for me new. I came there just to enjoy, take the experiences on the matches, tournaments. When I came [to Miami], I was here already last year, so I know how it feels, how it is in here. I have more experiences.

Jakub Mensik said

Mensik earned his first Top 10 win of the season at the Australian Open in January when he stunned Casper Ruud in the second round. He has since maintained the momentum and has been achieving impressive heights.

Jakub Mensik hopes to get better despite his achievements in Miami

Jakub Mensik became the first player born in 2005 and below to reach the final of an ATP Masters 1000 tournament. En route to the final, he ousted two Top 10 players: Taylor Fritz and Jack Draper. However, he’s not sleeping on the achievement but seeking to get better on the court.

Jakub Mensik 1
Jakub Mensik (via X/The Tennis Letter)

Of course, I finished (a) few weeks ago my first year on the tour, so actually (I’m) still pretty young. Yeah, that’s just the journey, the thing that I’m feeling. It’s not just one particular match or situation, but it’s all the tournaments, all the matches. Every match I’m getting better and better.

Jakub Mensik said

Mensik will face Novak Djokovic in the final of the Miami Open. It will be the second time both players will face each other. The first time they met was at the 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters, which Djokovic won in three sets.