By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday April 27, 2025
Jakub Mensik’s star continues to rise.
The Czech received his maiden Masters 1000 title in Miami simply 4 weeks in the past; on Sunday the 19-year-old continued to indicate why he’s such a promising expertise as he defeated Ben Shelton 6-1, 6-4 to succeed in the spherical of 16 at Madrid for the primary time.
What has it been like for Mensik to settle into the truth that he’s now one of many hunted slightly than a hunter on tour, after producing his signature title run in Miami, which was capped with a straight-sets takedown of Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic.
“I do know it’s only one match, I’m making an attempt to enhance myself each week,” he stated. “Sure, I received it however the journey remains to be lengthy and my targets are even additional.”
Now driving an eight-match successful streak on the Masters 1000 occasions, Mensik improves to 6-1 in opposition to the Prime-20 in 2025 together with his 67-minute takedown of Shelton, who by no means did discover his excessive gear in his third profession assembly with Mensik.
Twenty third-ranked Mensik will face Alexander Bublik within the spherical of 16 on Tuesday. He would be the favourite, as he carries a 16-7 document into the matchup. He defeated Bublik in Rotterdam earlier this 12 months, and owns a 1-1 lifetime document in opposition to the World No.75.
Mensik has develop into the seventh completely different teenager to succeed in the spherical of 16 at Madrid, becoming a member of a listing that additionally contains Carlos Alcaraz, Juan Martin del Potro, Denis Shapovalov, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Add Jakub to a reasonably lofty record… pic.twitter.com/cdJc7EfwTw
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) April 27, 2025
