Jakub Mensik advances to semis in Doha

Field Level Media|published: Thu 22nd February, 12:48 2024

Sep 1, 2023; Flushing, NY, USA; Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic hits to Taylor Fritz of the United States on day five of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. credits: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

Unseeded Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic recorded a 6-4, 7-6 (6) upset over top-seeded Andrey Rublev on Thursday to advance to the semifinals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha.

Mensik, 18, reached his maiden tour-level semifinal after firing 10 aces to dispatch the Russian in 98 minutes. The victory over the World No. 5 marked Mensik's first Top 5 win in his career. He is the youngest player to accomplish that feat since Carlos Alcarez of Spain toppled Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece at the U.S. Open in 2021.

Mensik will continue his quest for glory with a semifinal match against either Gael Monfils or third-seeded Ugo Humbert, both of France.

Also on Thursday, Australian Alexei Popyrin posted a 6-4, 6-4 win over fourth-seeded Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan. Popyrin will face Russian Karen Khachanov, who led 3-0 over Emil Ruusuvuori before the Finland native retired from the match due to injury.

—Field Level Media