Mensik Wins in Five, Collapses on Court

Jakub Mensik finally completed his 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(11) victory over Mariano Navone on a scorching day in Paris. Then he collapsed on the court in agony.

Weird scenes on Court 6, and the longest match of the tournament so far, at four hours and 41 minutes was over.

The good news? Mensik was able to make it to his post-match press conference.

“All of you probably saw the ending,” he said. “Obviously the ending says it all. I’m just happy that I kept fighting, I was always believing.”

Mensik said he couldn’t put enough fluids into his body.

“It’s insane to play in this weather,” he said. “To be there for more than four and a half hours, that’s just insane.”

“I walked out of the court by my own power, and in the locker room I just went to the ice bath, and even after that I went to the gym to do some recovery, so I would say I am feeling pretty well, it’s just about putting back the strength, lot of fluids and some food and I’ll be okay.”

Mensik has, unfortunately, made a habit of playing dramatic five-setters at the Slams. In nine of his 24 Grand Slam matches to date he has gone five sets. He has won three of the nine, including his last two.

Mensik will face Alex de Minaur in the third round – it is his first trip to the round of 32 in Paris.