Czech teenager Jakub Mensik upset third seed Taylor Fritz on Saturday, winning 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) to earn a place in the Miami Open final against Novak Djokovic.
The big-serving Mensik, ranked 54th in the world, struck 25 aces but was never able to break his American opponent and triumphed when Fritz found the net on match point.
As expected, the contest between Mensik and Fritz was a baseline battle which was ultimately decided by two tie-breaks won by the Czech.
Mensik blasted 25 aces and kept the pressure on Fritz throughout with his relentless power-hitting as he reached his first Masters 1000 final.
“I just I cannot describe how I feel right now, the feeling will come later. It was a fantastic atmosphere even though I was facing an American here,” said Mensik.
“The key was to stay focused. He serves the same as me so it was just a game of serves. He didn’t give me the opportunity to break him, so the two tie breaks decided it.”
Mensik has only faced Djokovic once in his career, losing to him Shanghai in October.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com