Three years ago, Novak Djokovic recognized Jakub Mensik’s enormous talent. The legend brought the young gun to Belgrade, sharing valuable tips and experience with the upcoming teenager. On Sunday, these two met in the Masters 1000 final!
Jakub and Novak were the players to beat at the Miami Open, forging the title clash with the biggest age difference in the Masters 1000 history! The apprentice ousted the master 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and three minutes for his first ATP title at 19!
The rain halted the action for hours, and they competed in challenging conditions. However, the two rivals pushed each other to the limits on a memorable Florida night. Let’s find out what led Jakub toward his career-best victory!
Jakub Mensik: “Mi inspiración tenística es Novak Djokovic. Gracias a él, empecé a jugar al tenis. Es mi mayor ídolo. No estaría aquí sin él”
Hoy le ganó a su ídolo en una final de Masters 1000.
— Set Tenis (@settenisok) March 31, 2025
As the result suggests, a teenager and the veteran stayed neck and neck from start to finish. They split 152 points, winning 76 each! They served well and generated only four break points. Novak denied two of three and seized the only one he created on the return to stay in contention.
However, the Serb missed his 100th ATP title after losing ground in both tie breaks. The young gun controlled them and sealed the deal in straight sets and write history books. Mensik made a reliable start, which always helps, especially in the first big final.
Djokovic erased the deficit and bounced back to reach a tie break. The Czech kept his composure and forged a 5-0 advantage, bringing the set home from there. Jakub served well in the second set, resisting the pressure and sending it to the other side.
Jakub Mensik, Miani Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Serb denied two break points in the fifth game, which was the only scary moment for servers. Thus, they embraced another tie break and traded six mini-breaks in the first nine points. A teenager clinched crucial ones at 4-3 and seized the second match point to topple his idol and lift a trophy.
Jakub closed the first game of the encounter with a forced error and stepped in on the return in the next one. Novak missed a routine forehand and faced two break points. The six-time champion sent another forehand wide on the first, losing serve and falling behind.
The 19-year-old fired winners at 30-30 in the third game, cementing the break and settling into a fine rhythm after 12 minutes. Djokovic closed the fourth game with a forehand winner and reduced the gap. However, he missed a backhand in the next one and fell 4-1 behind.
Novak Djokovic, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The legend landed an ace in the sixth game, holding at love and reducing the gap to 4-2. Jakub played his only loose service game in the next one. He sprayed a forehand error and netted a backhand to drop serve and bring Novak back to the positive side.
Djokovic claimed an extended rally in the eighth game and locked the result at 4-4. The Czech moved 5-4 up with an ace, and the Serb responded with a hold at love in the next one for 5-5. The young gun landed another service winner in game 11 for 6-5.
Novak closed the 12th game at love to introduce a tie break. Mensik claimed a mini-break in the second point with a lucky net cord and a behind-the-back volley winner. The veteran sprayed a forehand error in the third point and fell 3-0 behind.
Novak Djokovic, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Djokovic played a loose mini-break in the fifth point and sent his rival further in front. Jakub attacked in the eighth point and laded a smash winner for 6-2 and four sets points. Novak saved the first with a winner and reduced the gap to 6-4.
Mensik converted the third set point with a smash winner, opening a 7-6 lead after 55 minutes and gaining confidence. The Czech closed the second game of the second set with a forehand winner before the Serb held at love in the next one for a 2-1 advantage.
Jakub claimed the fourth game with a service winner and stepped in on the return in the next one. He hit a running winner at the net for a break chance. Novak denied it with a service winner before the young gun cracked a backhand down the line winner for the second.
Jakub Mensik, Miani Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Djokovic saved it with a fine attack and held after the rival’s forehand error to remain on the positive side. A teenager left those chances behind and fired a service winner in game six for 3-3. The six-time winner secured the seventh game with a powerful serve and reached a deuce on the return in the next one.
Ice cold, Jakub fired two booming serves to bring the game home and lock the result at 4-4. The Serb landed a forehand winner in game nine, producing a fine hold and keeping the pressure on the other side. Mensik responded with a volley winner in the next one and leveled them at 5-5.
Novak netted a slice in the 11th game and brought his rival to a deuce. He held after an entertaining point and remained in contention. The Czech served to stay in the set for the second time and held at 15 to introduce the second tie break.
Novak Djokovic, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Djokovic missed backhands in the opening two points before causing the rival’s mistake to reduce the gap. Jakub claimed a grueling baseline rally in the fifth point following the rival’s loose forehand to open a 3-2 advantage.
Mensik hit a loose backhand at 2-4 and lost the advantage. However, he provided another mini-break in the eighth point when Djokovic netted a routine forehand. The veteran netted a backhand in the ninth point and fell 6-3 behind, offering his rival three match points.
Novak erased the first with a return winner. However, Jakub converted the second with a service winner, sealing the deal and lifting his first Masters 1000 trophy at 19.
Tennis World USA