Mensik saves 7 match points, downs Fonseca to reach Roland Garros SF
Synopsis
At 20, Jakub Mensik just punched through one of the toughest doors in tennis — saving seven match points to topple Joao Fonseca and become the first man born in 2004 or later in a Grand Slam semi-final. Next: Alexander Zverev, who already owns a head-to-head edge from Madrid.
Key Takeaways
Jakub Mensik beat Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3) to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final at Roland Garros .
He saved 7 match points — converting on the seventh — and a set point at 5-4 in the third.
At 20 , he is the first man born in 2004 or later to reach a major semi-final.
First Czech man in a Grand Slam semi-final since Tomas Berdych at Wimbledon 2017 .
Mensik next plays second seed Alexander Zverev , who leads 1-0 after a Madrid win.
Jakub Mensik held his nerve to convert his seventh match point and edge Brazil's Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3) on 3 June, sealing his first Grand Slam semi-final at Roland Garros. The 20-year-old Czech now sets up a last-four clash with second seed Alexander Zverev on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
A historic young quarter-final
The contest was the youngest men's Paris quarter-final since Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic in 2006. Mensik also became the first man born in 2004 or later to reach the last four of a major.
It was the first Grand Slam quarter-final for both players. Mensik's win makes him the first Czech man in a major semi-final since Tomas Berdych at Wimbledon in 2017.
How the match unfolded
Fonseca's three forehand errors in the fifth game handed Mensik an early break, and the Czech leaned on a booming serve and disciplined baseline patterns to take the opener. He carried that authority into the second set, repeatedly moving forward to disrupt Fonseca's rhythm with crisp drop volleys, according to ATP match reports.
Having not faced a breakpoint across the first two sets, Mensik suddenly trailed 5-3 in the third and saved a set point at 5-4. He then failed to convert six match points in the 12th game on Fonseca's serve before sealing the tie-break 7-3 under a closed roof.
What Mensik said
“We started a little bit nervous, then at the end of the match, there were some incredible shots,” Mensik said in his on-court interview. “I'm super happy that I came back. In the third set, I was a couple of breaks down, so I'm happy I managed to stay focused and keep fighting until the end.”
“The last game and the tiebreak were some of my best performances so far,” he added. “It was really tough to stay focused until the end. I'm happy I managed to come back in the tiebreak and still move my game a little forward.”
Next up: Zverev test
Mensik, who had already battled through two five-setters en route to the last eight, now faces a stiffer challenge. Zverev carries a 1-0 head-to-head edge into the semi-final, having beaten the Czech 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3 in Madrid only weeks ago.
With a maiden Grand Slam final on the line, Mensik will look to flip that script and continue what has been a breakout fortnight in Paris.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many match points did Jakub Mensik save against Joao Fonseca?
Mensik saved seven match points before sealing victory on his own seventh match point in the third-set tie-break. He had also saved a set point at 5-4 in the decider before forcing the breaker.
What was the final score of the Mensik vs Fonseca quarter-final?
Jakub Mensik beat Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3) at Roland Garros on 3 June. The match was played under a closed roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Why is Mensik's Roland Garros semi-final historic?
At 20, he is the first man born in 2004 or later to reach a Grand Slam semi-final. He is also the first Czech man in a major semi-final since Tomas Berdych at Wimbledon in 2017.
Who does Mensik face in the Roland Garros semi-final?
Mensik will play second seed Alexander Zverev for a spot in the final. Zverev leads their head-to-head 1-0, having beaten Mensik 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3 in Madrid just weeks earlier.
