Mensik conquers Rublev 6-3, 7-6, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3 for the first quarter-final of the French Open
While Jakub Mensik led Andrey Rublev 2-0 face to face, they had not faced each other since 2024 and never in the dirt. As top seeds continue to fall, those who remain must balance the privilege of opportunity with the weight of expectation.
Mensik, from the Czech Republic, has two career titles, including that one 2025 Miami Open, where he sent Novak Djokovic to the final. He has already surpassed his best result on terre battue, an appearance in the second round 2024. The twenty-year-old achieved a career-high rank of #12 last March, but is currently ranked 28th and seeded 26th.
Russia’s Rublev achieved a career high rank of #5 IN 2021but currently it is #13 and seed 11th. The 28-year-old has won six titles on clay but has yet to progress beyond the quarters at a Grand Slam. During this fortnight in Paris, Mensik survived a five-set epic against Mariano Navone and needed four to defeat Alex de Minaur, while Rublev lost two sets in three rounds.
Mensik opened the match with an ace out, and though he faced a break point, he held on with two straight monster serves. Rublev hit two winners, including an ace out, but dropped serve with an errant inside-outside forehand. Mensik gave away three unforced errors, faced two deuces and a break point, but consolidated the break for 3-0.
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Rublev lost 5/5 serves initially but is easily maintained 15while Mensik served a double fault but held on 4-1 with two straight forehand winners. Rublev faced three break points and four deuces still held 2-4 with two colossal transverse wings.
Mensik faced a break point and deuce but held on with three winners in a row, including an ace out of the box. Rublev, serving with new balls and to stay in the set, opened with two unforced errors in a row, but held for 3-5 with two winners, including an ace on the tee.
The Czech serving for the set lost three first serves in a row but made it back with two spectacular groundstroke winners. Usually the one dictating rallies, Rublev was forced into a more defensive stance. Rublev continued to struggle with his serve and as he hit two straight winners to save the double break point, he faced two break points before holding. Mensik opened the fourth with two back-to-back back-to-back winners and held on 2-2 with an ace up the tee and a wing winner in the middle.
The Russian lost four first serves in a row and faced three break points, but made it to deuce with three winners in a row, including his fourth ace. He faced two more deuce and break points before dropping serve with a net backhand.
Mensik continued to find success on the court while consolidating his break in love. Rublev did 3/5 first it is easy to serve and maintain 15 ABOUT 3-4while Mensik, serving with young balls, held in love for 5-3.
Rublev serves to stay in the group held for him 15 with a tremendous backhand despite giving him his first double fault. Serving for the set, Mensik lost two first serves in a row and faced double break points when Rublev dropped a running crosshand pass and converted when Mensik hit a forehand.
Level at five, Rublev reached 5/6 first serves and consolidated rest for 6-5. Mensik serving to stay in the set and force the offender, misses 3/5 first serve but held in 15 with a brilliant half-volley cross. While Rublev led 3-1 in the break, Mensik tied with his sixth ace. Although the Czech served another double fault, he converted the second set point to 7-6 with a bubble backlog down the line.
Mensik served first in the third and dropped serve with three unforced errors. Rublev lost 3/6 first serve but held in 30 to consolidate the break for 2-0. Mensik hit two incredible winners and held on 15 to board, while Rublev did 4/6 first serves and is held for him 30 ABOUT 3-1.
Mensik did 5/5 first serves and is held for him 15while Rublev hit his fifth ace and held to love. Mensik opened the seventh with his seventh ace and held love for 3-4 while Rublev returned the favor, falling to love with his sixth ace.
Mensik, serving to stay in the set, opened with a double fault and, with another, faced a double break point still holding for 4-5 with two consecutive winners. Rublev opened the tenth with an incredible inside forehand and although he gave away another double fault, he converted the third set point when Mensik missed a cross-court forehand.
Mensik served first in the fourth and broke serve after four unforced errors. Rublev lost 3/6 first serve, including a double fault, and got the break back when Mensik dropped a forehand inside.
of 26The seed served with new balls made four consecutive errors to get the break back. Rublev opened the fourth with his sixth ace and wanted to consolidate the break 3-1. Mensik served up four consecutive unforced errors, including his sixth double fault and dropped serve. Rublev opened the sixth with his fourth double fault and faced five deuces and five break points before holding with a massive inside-out forehand to consolidate the break for 5-1.
Mensik serving to stay in the set opened with two consecutive faults, but was stopped 2-5 with two winners in a row, including an ace on the tee. old world #5 served for the set and closed it out after four consecutive Mensik errors.
A few hours ago, it looked like the Czech would dominate in the straight, but the momentum seemed firmly in the hands of the tour veteran. Mensik served first in the decider and held dear with an ace on the tip and a winning serve and volley.
Rublev opened with a terrific inside forehand and two more winners off that forehand, held at 30 to level. Mensik lost 3/5 first serves, including a double fault, but with his tenth ace, held 30 ABOUT 2-1. Rublev, serving with new balls, succeeded 40-15 but then fought back and faced two points before holding as Mensik did 4/4 serves first, including an ace out wide, to hold at love.
Rublev opened the sixth with a stunning inside-out forehand and his seventh ace held 30 while Mensik kept his love for 4-3. Rublev was called for a leg fault on the opening point, faced a break point and broke serve when Mensik hit an inside forehand.
The check served for the match and a coveted spot in the last eight. He opened with his twelfth ace and although he followed it up with the seventh double fault and faced two deuces and two break points, he secured victory with a crosscourt forehand volley and his thirteenth ace.
It was a closely contested match characterized by power, variety and drama. after 3 ¾ hour, Mensik finished with four points more than his opponent. He was exemplary in service, winning 77First % and 43% of second serve points. He was just as effective when he returned, winning 30First % and 51% of second serve return points. He was clutch when faced with a break point, saving 10/15 during conversion 4/18.
Waiting in the neighborhood is teenage phenom Joao Fonseca. The 19-year-old from Brazil with two career titles is currently ranked #30 and seed 28th. In the third round this fortnight, he came back from two sets down to beat former world #1 and three-time Roland Garros champion Novak Djokovic. In the next round, he conquered two-time Roland Garros finalist and former world #2Casper Ruud.
Mensik will need his legs and laser focus to be competitive in this quarterfinal duel. While the Brazilian leads head-to-head 1-0came via a walk last fall in Basel. This will be their first match at tournament level and their first on soil.
