Tiebreak tension tightened and a crackling rally escalated.
Jakub Mensik detonated one final drive that sent a sprawling Novak Djokovic crashing to court as he netted a reply.
The 19-year-old Mensik knocked his tennis hero down in the tiebreaker then knocked him out of this Miami Open final.
A masterful Mensik mastered his mentor Djokovic 7-6(4), 7-6(4) to capture his first ATP title and become the second-youngest champion in Miami Open history after 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in 2022.
A bold Mensik turned tiebreakers into heartbreakers for all comers during this Miami fortnight.
Mensik posted a perfect 7-0 tiebreaker record en route to his first title, including defeating Indian Wells champion Jack Draper 7-6(2), 7-6(3), and edging US Open finalist Taylor Fritz 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(4) in a semifinal slugfest that saw him slam 25 aces.
Today, Mensik mashed 14 aces against one double fault and faced just one break point denying his hero his 100th career title and record seventh Miami Open crown.
This win came 170 days after Djokovic out-dueled Mensik 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4 in the Shanghai quarterfinals. Mensik amped up his second serve, repeatedly ripped his backhand down the line and did not flinch out playing the Grand Slam king in both breakers.
“Everyone knows you are the one,” Mensik said to Djokovic afterward. “I am here because I watch you growing up and when I was young I started to play tennis because of you.
“I had a couple of opportunities to practice with you and there is no tougher task for a teninis player than to beat you in the final of a tennis tournament, Thank you so much for what you have done for everyone in this sport you are an incredible person. So thank you so much.”
Playing his first Miami Open since 2019, Djokovic was battling both the blurring ball emanating from the teenager’s racquet and an apparent stye on his right eye that left him blinking early in the match. Djokovic, whom Hall of Famer John McEnroe calls “the best mover on a hard court I’ve ever seen,” lost his footing and tumbled to the court three different times tonight.
Though Djokovic played well—he hit 22 winners against 17 errors—and was even more impressive after a painful defeat, showing his class in praising Mensik as a well-deserved winner.
“First and foremost this is Jakub’s moment, a moment of his team, a moment of his family, congratulations,” Djokovic said. “Unbelievable tournament first of many. It hurts me to admit it, but you were better in the clutch moments.
“A phenomenal effort to stay tough mentally for a young player like yourself. Congratulations to your family, your team, well done guys, Bravo.
“Thank you to the fans you guys brought so much joy to me the last couple of weeks. I’ve been struggling to find the level of tennis and kind of enjoyment but here without a doubt I enjoyed the most I have enjoyed in the last couple of years. You make it possible and thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The 37-year-old Serbian superstar was bidding for his 100th career crown, including a record 72nd hard-court title and a record-extending 41st Masters 1000 championship.
Not only did Mensik serve with authority, his forehand and nerve—except for championship point No. 1 when he inexplicably let a Djokovic return go without playing it—were rock-solid under stress.
A rainy afternoon pushed back the start of this final nearly six hours. It was about 8:47 p.m. local time when Mensik served up the first ball.
The 18-year, 102-age gap between Djokovic and Mensik did not faze the teenager who looked pumped to play his tennis idol.
The seventh Czech to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final slammed an ace confirming the break for an ideal 3-0 start.
Trying to gain traction, Djokovic drilled an ace and diagonal forehand winner to cap a love hold in the fourth game.
The fourth seed slipped behind the baseline and crashed to court in the fifth game as Mensik stamped another strong hold for 4-1.
Sharp serving propelled Djokovic to this 142nd career final and he showed it again darting an ace to wrap a love hold for 2-4. That sparked a three-game stretch that saw Djokovic break back in the seventh game before leveling at 4-all.
On a sweaty, stick evening, Djokovic was going to the towel frequently trying to keep his hands dry, eventually asking for saw dust. Djokovic threw down another love hold to force the tiebreaker.
The teenager was 5-0 in tiebreaks in this tournament, including winning both breakers to knock US Open finalist Taylor Fritz out of the semifinals.
Mensik opened with an ace, caught up to a net-cord shot and soared for beautiful high backhand volley winner, reminiscent of the young Patrick Rafter, for the mini break. Mensik surged out to a 5-0 lead in the breaker. A bounce smash brought the man from Czechia set points at 6-2.
On his third set point, Mensik exploited another Djokovic stumble behind the baseline, attacked and threw down a smash to seize a one-set lead with a clenched fist.
The man from Czechia served seven aces against no double faults and won 21 of 25 first-serve points in the first set.
Pressured in the fifth game of the second set, Djokovic hit his first double fault to face a love-30 hole. Djokovic saved a break point with a stinging serve down the T then leaned low for a brilliant backhand volley reminiscent of ex-coach Boris Becker to deny a second break point. Those clutch plays helped Djokovic hang tough holding 3-2.
Miami fans were chanting “Nole! Nole! Nole” as Djokovic rallied from 15-30 down, holding for 6-5. Mensik answered with a strong hold at 15 to force the second-set tiebreaker.
The breaker was even at 2-all when the pair played that pulsating 21-shot rally that ended with a heavy Mensik strike and Djokovic toppling to the court where he lay flat on his back arising to a 2-3 deficit.
Mensik’s shot tolerance was impressive: He won a 17-shot rally for 5-3 then plastered the baseline with a return for championship points.
Tightening up on championship point No. 1 Mensik late a Djokovic return go without a play and watch it lance the baseline.
On his second championship point, Mensik banged one final biting serve then fell to the court in pure joy.