Novak Djokovic is back to express a great tennis and is one of the favorites for the victory in the Masters 1000 in Shanghai. Former world number 1 is motivated to achieve a great result and lift his fifth trophy in this tournament. As if that were not enough, yesterday his most dangerous opponent was eliminated before the final, German ace Alexander Zverev (defeated by David Goffin).
Novak Djokovic, Shanghai Masters 2024© Stream screenshot
The Serbian legend had not impressed at the start against Alex Michelsen, risking both in the first and second sets before winning through two tiebreaks, while the scoreless performances against Flavio Cobolli and Roman Safiullin fueled his hopes. The feeling is that the 37-year-old from Belgrade benefits from the speed of this surface, being able to make a difference even with the serve. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is still looking for his first ATP title in 2024, which would allow him to secure the almost mathematical certainty of entering the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.
Novak would not qualify at the moment, but Alex de Minaur’s physical problems in the last period have increased his chances. His next opponent is young and dangerous, having nothing to lose against a modern sports legend. His name is Jakub Mensik, destined to rise very high in the ATP ranking.
A fierce clash
Djokovic will have to be very careful about a player who can play without pressure and who has very dangerous weapons on these fast courts.
Fourth consecutive win against a Top 10 and first time in the quarter-finals of a Masters 1000 event. Jakub Mensik is having a dream week in Shanghai and, after eliminating last year’s finalist Andrey Rublev, he defeated the top seed Grigor Dimitrov in three sets. “I’m tired right now. It was a very difficult game from the mental point of view because of the many ups and downs. Grigor is a really good player and you always have to keep fighting on every point. It’s hard to stay focused at certain moments in the game. I’m really happy to have won, even though I spent a lot of energy”.
Speaking of dreams, Mensik will make another one next Friday: to wait for him in the quarterfinals there will be the idol Novak Djokovic. The Czech has trained on several occasions with the Serbian champion, who has always given him important advice since he was still attending the Junior circuit. “I don’t want to say anything now. I have many thoughts that pass through my head. We will see how things go. I am more than thrilled, it would be reductive to use only this adjective. It’s a dream come true,” said an excited Mensik at the press conference. “I started playing tennis because of him.
Novak Djokovic© @DjokerNole X account
When I was little, Novak was already at the top and I thought: ‘He’s really strong, he wins a lot of Slam’. Now that I’m 19 he’s still playing and I have a chance to face him. I’ve had this desire since I started competing in the major tour. I’m really happy that my dream is about to come true. We’ll see what my level will be on Friday.”
Mensik has grown a lot
Finalist at the ATP 250 in Doha in February, the young ace from Prostějov has been slowed down by some too many injuries (two retirements this year). If the size suggests the sketch of a big server, the reality tells of a player who combines the power with great agility and a good touch, which allow him to move easily and to withstand even hard rallies from the baseline.
The 19-year-old gave his last demonstration of skills at the Master 1000 in Shanghai, where he beat, in series, Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov, winning a dream quarter-final with Novak Djokovic. The victories at the Chinese tournament have allowed the Czech to achieve an extraordinary result in terms of precocity, achieved in the new millennium by only five other players before him.
Jakub Mensik, Doha 2024© Stream screenshot
For the Czech Republic’s Next Gen player, the one against Dimitrov was the fourth victory in the year against top 10 players. This is the second victory against the Bulgarian, to which are added two successes with Andrey Rublev in Doha and the second round of the same Chinese tournament currently underway.
Mensik became only the sixth under 21 player since 2000 to achieve this number of consecutive wins against top 10 ranked players. Before him, only Lleyton Hewitt, Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune had succeeded in this feat. This result highlights the qualities of the young Czech, who could soon make the ultimate leap to the top of world tennis. In 2022, Djokovic invited the young Czech to train with him and a nice friendship was born but tomorrow will be a battle.