Czech teenager Jakub Mensik upset Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/4) to win the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, denying the Serb his 100th career title.
The 19-year-old, ranked 54th in the world, claimed his first title on the ATP Tour with an outstanding display of powerful tennis.
The final was delayed by almost six hours due to heavy rain, and when the players emerged, it was clear that Djokovic had an eye infection. He used eye drops during a changeover in the first set.
Mensik started strongly breaking Djokovic’s first serve game to go 2-0 up and the tall, big-serving Czech was dominating until, at 4-2 Djokovic broke back when Mensik found the net.
The set remained on serve from then on, but in the tie-break, Mensik’s powerful serve, with two aces, put him in charge from the outset. He opened up a 5-0 lead, and although 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic fought bac,k the youngster sealed the set with an overhead volley.
It was the first set that Djokovic had lost in the entire tournament. Twice, he lost his footing and ended up on his back, and he changed his footwear between sets.
Mensik had beaten Djokovic by the same margin in the first set of their only other meeting in Shanghai before losing in three sets.
This time, however, the momentum appeared to be with him.
The second set was a nip and tuck affair, though, with neither player able to break. Once again, Mensik’s power proved decisive in the tie-break, and when Djokovic went long on a return to hand him victory, he fell to his back in celebration.
Mensik has made no secret of the fact that he grew up with Djokovic as his idol, and after receiving the trophy,y he said that he started his career in the hope of emulating the Serb.
Djokovic, who after the match declined to discuss the problem with his eye, paid tribute to the Czech’s display.
The match between the 37-year-old Djokovic and Mensik was the biggest age gap difference in a Masters 1000 final and the biggest age gap of any tour-level final since 1976.
