Teenager Mensik denies Djokovic 100th title in Miami

Teenager Jakub Mensik denied his Serbian idol Novak Djokovic a 100th ATP singles title with a superb performance to win the Miami Open.

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The 18-year-old Czech beat Serbia’s Djokovic 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-6) on a sticky, humid night to clinch his first ATP Tour title.

Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, had been bidding to become just the third man in the open era to win 100 singles titles.

However, the 37-year-old’s wait will go on after his loss to Mensik, who was just 10 months old when Djokovic won his first title in 2006.

Mensik is the ninth-youngest Masters 1000 champion and the third youngest in Miami after Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.

Mensik is another rising star in the men’s game, possessing a huge serve and a thumping backhand that has taken him inside the world’s top 50.

Djokovic invited Mensik to practice with him after the 2022 Australian Open when he was still a junior, and Mensik said in his winner’s speech that Djokovic was “the reason I am here”.

Mensik also thanked his physio-therapist, who treated him for a knee injury that almost led to him with-drawing in the first round in Miami.