Jakub Mensik wanted over 9 months to seize a top-20 victory.
The younger Czech confronted Casper Ruud on the United Cup and prevailed 7-5, 7-6 in two hours and eight minutes.
Laborious. Fought. 😤
Jakub Mensik will get a primary High 20 win since April, beating Ruud 7-5 7-6 on the #UnitedCup! pic.twitter.com/5w0FKHCHh1
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 5, 2026
The 2 nice rivals fought effectively at Ken Rosewall Area in Sydney. Ruud saved combating and created a set level within the tie break earlier than Mensik denied it and sealed the deal with out taking part in a decider.
The Miami Open champion fired 16 aces and outplayed the Norwegian behind the primary serve. Jakub struggled on the second serve however denied 5 of seven break factors. Casper couldn’t repeat his efficiency from the opening match in opposition to de Minaur.
World no. 12 misplaced 41% of the factors in his video games and skilled three breaks from six probabilities offered to his rival. The Czech clinched a break within the third recreation of the match when his rival sprayed a forehand error.
Jakub Mensik & Casper Ruud, United Cup 2026© Stream screenshot
Mensik landed a service winner within the fourth recreation for 3-1 earlier than Ruud pulled the break again with a effective assault in recreation six and a artful volley winner on the internet. They served effectively within the subsequent 4 video games for 5-5.
Casper squandered a recreation level in recreation 11 and performed a free forehand on a break level to seek out himself 6-5 behind. Jakub served for the set in recreation 12 and welcomed the rival's free backhand on a set level, taking the primary a part of the match in 56 minutes.
The Czech confronted the last word check within the second recreation of the second set. He performed in opposition to 4 break factors and denied them with winner to stay on the constructive aspect. They offered 4 effective holds after that.
The youthful participant landed a drop shot winner within the seventh recreation, offering a break at 15 and shifting nearer to the end line. The 20-year-old fired an ace within the eighth recreation and moved 5-3 in entrance.
Jakub Mensik, United Cup 2026© Stream screenshot
Ruud had yet another likelihood to delay the battle at 4-5. He saved his focus and fired a forehand winner to tug the break again and lock the end result at 5-5. The Norwegian denied a break level in recreation 11 with a effective assault.
The set went right into a tie break, and world no. 12 solid a 4-2 and a 5-3 benefit. Jakub landed a deep return within the ninth level earlier than netting a routine forehand at 5-5 to supply his rival a set level.
The Czech saved it with a forehand crosscourt winner and landed a smash winner for 7-6 and a match level. He transformed it with one other smash winner, sealing the deal and celebrating his first top-20 victory since April.
