Jakub Mensik defeated Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3) in the French Open quarterfinals to reach his first Grand Slam semifinal. The 20-year-old Czech overcame physical discomfort and saved several match points in a tense third set. He will next face Alexander Zverev.
Mensik secured the victory on Court Philippe-Chatrier after two hours and 33 minutes. Fonseca saved six match points in the 12th game of the deciding set before the Czech closed it out in the tiebreak. The win came despite physical challenges. Mensik felt discomfort in his left leg late in the second set and dealt with cramps during his post-match press conference. He had already played multiple five-set matches earlier in the tournament. Practice before the match was cut short by an approaching storm. Maintenance staff lowered the net on the practice court while Mensik was still serving, forcing him to continue without it until rain arrived minutes later. Tennis legend John McEnroe praised the performance. “I’ll tell you, he’s gonna be a handful for the next 10 years,” McEnroe said on TNT Sports. Mensik became the youngest Czech man to reach a Grand Slam semifinal.
