Jakub Mensik (CZE) reacts after winning a point against Taylor Fritz (USA)(not pictured) in a men's singles semifinal on day eleven of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Czech teenager stuns Taylor Fritz to reach Miami Open final

By Sai Mohan | Last updated Mar 29, 2025 9:33 AM ET

Jakub Mensik continues to ascend.

The Czech teenager started the year by stunning World No. 6 Casper Ruud en route to a third-round finish at the Australian Open. On Friday, Mensik overcame No. 4 Taylor Fritz in a hard-fought, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 win in the semifinals of the Miami Open, clinching a finals berth at an ATP 1000 event for the first time in his career.

The win came less than a week after he upset No. 7 Jack Draper in the second round.

Mensik now owns three wins over top-10-ranked players in 2025 alone, making him one of the fastest rising stars in the sport. He is just the fifth teenager in the past 20 years to reach the men's singles final at the prestigious ATP 1000 event.

5 - Jakub Mensik has become the fifth teenager in the past 20 years to reach the Men’s Singles final at the Miami Open after Rafael Nadal (2005), Novak Djokovic (2007), Jannik Sinner (2021) and Carlos Alcaraz (2022). Passage.#MiamiOpen | @MiamiOpen @atptour @ATPMediaInfo pic.twitter.com/jYqSZLEafH
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) March 29, 2025

On Sunday, the 19-year-old will face the iconic Novak Djokovic in the final at Hardrock Stadium. There's a lot at stake for both players.

Mensik is eyeing his first career ATP title — he lost his only final at Doha last year to Karen Khachanov. Djokovic is aiming for his 100th ATP title after failing to complete the mission in two finals losses last year at Shanghai and Wimbledon. As such, Sunday's final will end with a noteworthy outcome either way.

The 18-year-and-102-day age disparity between the two players is the most between participants in an ATP 1000 final.

18, 102 - Since 1990, the age gap of 18y, 102d between Novak Djokovic and Jakub Mensik will be the biggest in an ATP Masters 1000 final, surpassing the 16y 35d between Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal (Montreal 2005). Generations.#MiamiOpen | @MiamiOpen @atptour @ATPMediaInfo
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) March 29, 2025

In their only previous clash, Mensik lost to Djokovic in the quarterfinal of last year's Shanghai Masters. Looking ahead to the rematch, Mensik believes he's "a better player" than before and is more equipped to take down the man he grew up idolizing.

"It feels incredible," Mensik said of facing his idol in his first ATP 1000 final, via ATP Tour. "For me it was a dream to play against him in Shanghai. For now it's a bit different. I am a better player now and I'm going to enjoy and it’s going to be really exciting. Let’s see what’s going to happen Sunday."

When idols become your rivals ❤️@mensik_jakub_ @DjokerNole @MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/MHaBVZxwNI
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 29, 2025

While Djokovic and Mensik will compete for the men's title on Sunday, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 4 Jessica Pegula will clash in the women's final a day earlier.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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