Czechia’s 18-year-old sensation Jakub Mensik shocked American Christopher Eubanks 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the first round of the Mallorca Open – and goes on to face veteran Italian Fabio Fognini for a place in the quarter finals.
Mensik turned professional less than two years ago, and lost in the first round of qualifying in Halle last week. Yet eight days later in his second match ever on grass, he put out the 42nd ranked Eubanks who won the tournament last year.
“For me it’s a good result,” said Mensik in his on-court interview. “Obviously after difficult weeks, I’m happy to compete again. Back on grass with a ‘W’, I’m happy and I will be pushing more for the next round.”
The youngster is already ranked well inside the top 100 at just 18 years, and possesses a power game including a huge forehand and serving speeds of up to 138mph. And yet amongst all that strength, perhaps the point of the match was his exquisite faded backhand drop volley off a Eubanks return to level the scores at one game all early in the second set – a jaw-dropping display of finesse to suggest that Mensik is going places, and fast.
Elsewhere around the grounds today, sixth seed Gael Monfils continued his good form from yesterday when he beat Dominic Thiem, this time defeating Roberto Carbelles Baena from Spain in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 and now plays Roberto Bautista Agut, who battled past second seed Ugo Humbert 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a match lasting two and half hours.
In other results:
(R16) Alex Michelsen beat Adrian Mannarino 7-6, 6-4
(R16) Sebastian Ofner beat Luciano Darderi 6-3, 7-5
(R32) Paul Jubb beat Maximilian Marterer
(R32) Adam Walton beat Yannick Hanfmann
