UAE Open: Eighteen Years Old Breaking over Gael Monfils, Jakub Mensik becomes the youngest ATP finalist since Carlos Alcaraz
At the Qatar Open on Friday, Czech youngster Jakub Mensik overcame French veteran Gael Monfils to become the youngest ATP finalist since Carlos Alcaraz three years before.
Mensik, 18, defeated 37-year-old Monfils 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinals after defeating fifth-ranked Andrey Rublev.
Mensik, who is eighteen years and five months old, is the youngest ATP finalist since 2005 and the youngest since Alcaraz 2021’s Umag title match.
In the Saturday final, Mensik—who will move up from 116 in the world to within the top 100 the following week—will face Karen Khachanov.
It’s incredible. Mensik, who has previously upset three-time major champion and former world number one Andy Murray in Doha, said, “It’s been an incredible week so far.”
After making breakthrough performances to the third round of the 2023 US Open and a second-round showing at the Australian Open last month, the Qatar Open is only his third big draw tournament.
“Gael had amazing performance. I am aware that playing against him is difficult, particularly given his excellent mobility. Every point, I have to play my best game, in Mensik’s opinion.
“I must admit that this performance was among my all-time favorites. I’m happy I made it to this stage in the semifinals, and I want to continue playing like this tomorrow. I had an incredible sensation after my first ATP final. I cannot express myself.
In 2018, Monfils won the Doha championship. When the popular French player made his debut in the competition in 2005, Mensik was not even born.
“Among the best performers on the court is Gabriel. He’s a very kind man. He made the rallies so much enjoyable,” Mensik said, saving nine of the twelve break points that Monfils painstakingly chiseled out.
In his semifinal match, Australian Alexei Popyrin was beaten 7-6 (14/12) by second-seeded Russian Khachanov 6-2.
On Saturday, Khachanov will be vying for his sixth victory at the tour level.
