Czech teenager Jakub Mensik defeated Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/4), at the Miami Open on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, preventing the Serbian superstar from winning his 100th career title. The 19-year-old, who is presently ranked 54th in the world, won his first ATP Tour title with an amazing display of aggressive tennis. The final was delayed by more than six hours due to heavy rain, and when the players emerged, it was clear that Djokovic had an eye infection. In the opening set, he used eye drops during a changeover.
After breaking Djokovic’s first serve game to take a 2-0 lead, Mensik started to control the contest. However, when Mensik found the net at 4-2, Djokovic answered. After then, the set remained on serve, but Mensik’s powerful serve with two aces gave him the advantage early in the tie-break. Despite a comeback by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, the teenager’s overhead volley ended the set after he seized a 5-0 lead. It was the first set Djokovic has lost in the competition. Between sets, he switched up his footwear and twice stumbled and fell onto his back.
Mensik had lost to Djokovic in three sets after defeating him by exactly the same margin in the first set of their only other meeting in Shanghai. This time, however, he appeared to be in the lead. But in the second set, which was a close encounter, neither player was able to break. Once again, Mensik’s strength prevailed in the tie-break, and Djokovic sprawled on his back in delight as he went long on a return to give him the victory.
Djokovic lauded the Czech’s performance after the match, but he would not discuss his eye issue.
When the 37-year-old Djokovic and Mensik faced off in 1976, it was the largest age difference in a Masters 1000 final and the largest in any tour-level final.
