Mensik cherishes Messi handshake ahead of Miami Open final clash with idol Djokovic

MIAMI: Meeting Lionel Messi before the Miami Open semi-finals was just the boost Jakub Mensik needed, as the 19-year-old upset world number four Taylor Fritz on Friday to reach his first Masters 1000 final, where he will face Novak Djokovic.

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Messi went into the locker-rooms at Hard Rock Stadium to meet Djokovic after his earlier win over Grigor Dimitrov, and was introduced to Mensik.

Czech Republic's Mensik shook hands with Messi and thanked the Argentine soccer great by writing "Thx Leo" on a camera lens after securing the biggest win of his career.

"I was shaking his hand... kind of chilling with him a little bit. I didn't wash my hand before I stepped on the court, and probably that was the key for today," Mensik joked after beating Fritz 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(4).

The Czech said he was glad to have had the opportunity to have seen the personal side of Messi away from his performances on the field.

"It's not just that he has won those Champions Leagues and World Cups and everything (it was) seeing he's also a human. It's really awesome that the dream came true," he said.

Messi travelled to the tennis tournament after training with his team, local club Inter Miami.

The tournament is held at Hard Rock Stadium which will host Messi's games with Inter Miami in June's Club World Cup.