Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Teenager Mensik denies Djokovic 100th title in Miami

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Sunday, 30 March 2025 22:22

It has been some rise for Mensik, who broke into the top 100 in February 2024 by reaching the Qatar Open final.

In Miami he beat three top-10 players in Djokovic, Britain's Jack Draper and American Taylor Fritz to lift the biggest title of his career, and handled the pressure of the occasion well.

After a five-and-a-half hour rain delay before the final, settling into a rhythm was not easy, but Mensik adjusted quicker than Djokovic.

He broke Djokovic at the first opportunity and his first serve popped as he rushed out to a 4-1 lead.

Djokovic, by contrast, had a rough start. He fell twice, had to apply eye drops after being bothered by swelling under his right eye and resorted to using sawdust to help him grip his racquet in the humidity.

However, his serve improved as the set progressed and his backhand slice in particular trouble Mensik, who eventually handed the break back.

A tie-break felt inevitable and Djokovic paid for a poor start to it, although he saved two set points before Mensik smashed his way to the opener.

The match was following a similar pattern to their previous meeting in Shanghai last year, when Mensik took the first set on a breaker before fading in the next two.

However, this time he kept up the intensity. Mensik did not face a break point in the second set and the heat and humidity began to take a toll on Djokovic.

Breathing heavily and wiping his face on a towel between every point, Djokovic could only watch as Mensik sent three excellent serves past him to force a tie-break, before the Serb whacked his thigh with his racquet after dropping the opening point in it.

If the point was short, then it was Djokovic who came out on top. But Mensik dug in to the long rallies, sending Djokovic darting around at the back of court and ultimately setting up three match points.

The first one went by as Djokovic sent a superb return right onto the baseline, but Mensik ensured a fitting end with a serve out wide to clinch the second.

He will now rise to a career-high of 24th in the world rankings.

For Djokovic, the wait for a first ATP title since 2023 goes on, but there were signs that his serve in particular has improved under coach Andy Murray.

Read 13 times

Soccer

Barça wrong to register Olmo, Víctor - LaLiga

Barça wrong to register Olmo, Víctor - LaLiga

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLaLiga say Barcelona have never had the salary space to register Da...

Spurs' Postecoglou: I hope Pochettino returns

Spurs' Postecoglou: I hope Pochettino returns

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has said he does not feel "disrespe...

Saka's return provides a glimmer of hope in Arsenal's injury-riddled season

Saka's return provides a glimmer of hope in Arsenal's injury-riddled season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLONDON -- The expectation on Bukayo Saka to revive Arsenal's season...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Budenholzer back in Milwaukee, calls run 'great'

Budenholzer back in Milwaukee, calls run 'great'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPhoenix Suns coach Mike Budenholzer didn't have much time to wax no...

Bucks catch fire, shoot highest FG% this century

Bucks catch fire, shoot highest FG% this century

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo told his Milwaukee Bucks teammat...

Baseball

Sources: Padres' Merrill lands $135M extension

Sources: Padres' Merrill lands $135M extension

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe San Diego Padres and All-Star outfielder Jackson Merrill have a...

Dodgers' 7-0 start ties 1933 Yanks as May returns

Dodgers' 7-0 start ties 1933 Yanks as May returns

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- The first seven games of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 20...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated