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Jakub Mensik Upsets Djokovic to win Miami Open

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Andreas Pelekis | Last updated Mar 31, 2025 12:40 AM ET

Leading Novak Djokovic in the Miami Open final with championship points, Jakub Mensik hit a powerful first serve and thought the return would drift long. It clipped the line as Mensik didn’t move a muscle, but the Czech youngster didn’t panic.

One point later, Mensik hit another powerful first serve — and this time the return went long. The 19-year-old Mensik clinched a 7-6 (4) 7-6 (4) win over Djokovic to win the 2025 Miami Open, the first ATP Tour title of his career.

“It was probably the biggest day of my life,” Mensik told ATP Tour reporters after the match. He later said in the trophy ceremony that he considered withdrawing from the tournament due to injury altogether due to knee pain, before a last-minute physio appointment.

Mensik hit 29 winners to 19 unforced errors and won 77% of points off his first serve, in a match delayed for hours due to heavy rain. He dictated the match with his forehand, anticipating Djokovic’s drop shots by using his speed to his advantage.

The Czech got off to a fast start in the match, leading 4-2 before Djokovic broke back. Mensik fired multiple winners and outlasted Djokovic in the rallies during a tense first-set tiebreak, notably chasing down a drop shot and hitting a stunning backhand overhead winner to get the minibreak.

Djokovic — who at times looked hampered by heat during the two-hour match and came into the match with apparent eye issues — saved a couple of break points early in the second set, roaring and prompting loud applause from the crowd. Mensik had a chance to break Djokovic’s serve at 5-5 in the second set, but the Serb held on. In the 11th game of the set, an incredible get from the Serb seemed to give him momentum, but Mensik hit a pair of unreturnable serves to force another tiebreak.

Mensik got off to a fast start in the second-set tiebreak and outlasted Djokovic in a 21-shot rally to give him the momentum he needed. Mensik’s 7-4 tiebreak win was his sixth tiebreak victory of the tournament, and he won all six over the fortnight.

Mensik dethroned three Top 10 players en route to the title, defeating Indian Wells champion Jack Draper in the second round, and later stunning Taylor Fritz 7-6 (4) 4-6 7-6 (4) in the semifinals. Mensik now has seven Top 10 wins to his name, and he’ll debut in the Top 25 of the rankings when new rankings are released on Monday. The 19-year-old is now 6th in the ATP Finals Race.

“I’m pretty sure that this was one just the first of many,” Mensik said during the trophy ceremony, thanking his team.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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