By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday April 27, 2025
Jakub Mensik’s star continues to rise.
The Czech gained his maiden Masters 1000 title in Miami simply 4 weeks in the past; on Sunday the 19-year-old continued to point out why he’s such a promising expertise as he defeated Ben Shelton 6-1, 6-4 to achieve 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 attempting to enhance myself each week,” he mentioned. “Sure, I gained it however the journey continues to be lengthy and my targets are even additional.”
Now driving an eight-match profitable streak on the Masters 1000 occasions, Mensik improves to 6-1 towards the High-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 report into the matchup. He defeated Bublik in Rotterdam earlier this yr, and owns a 1-1 lifetime report towards the World No.75.
Mensik has change into the seventh totally different teenager to achieve the spherical of 16 at Madrid, becoming a member of an inventory that additionally contains Carlos Alcaraz, Juan Martin del Potro, Denis Shapovalov, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Add Jakub to a fairly lofty listing… pic.twitter.com/cdJc7EfwTw
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) April 27, 2025
