2024-02-22 20:16:39
CTK
Updated 3 hours ago
Eighteen-year-old tennis player Jakub Menšík defeated world number five Andrei Rublev from Russia 6:4, 7:6 at the tournament in Doha and advanced to the semifinals for the first time. Markéta Vondroušová, on the other hand, did not make it to victory at the tournament in Dubai in a very promising quarter-final with Romanian Sorana Cirstea. The world number eight already led 6:2, 5:1, had six match points in the second set, but lost 6:2, 6:7, 2:6.
The native of Prostějov knocked out the number one seed in one hour and 38 minutes and continues in Qatar in the campaign of his life. In the fight for the final, he will meet the 37-year-old Frenchman Gaël Monfils, who defeated compatriot and tournament triple Ugo Humbert 6:2, 6:4.
Menšík, who starts in Doha thanks to the exemption for young players, followed up on the triumphs over Briton Andy Murray and Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich from the previous rounds. So far, he has only played among the elite last year at the Grand Slam US Open and this year at the Australian Open. After a successful performance in Qatar, he will move into the top 100 of the world rankings for the first time next week, where he will be the youngest player.
The talented Czech tennis player did not lose serve even once in the match against Rubljov and averted all six break points. He played 21 winning balls, made only six unforced errors and helped himself to ten aces. He also claimed his first victory over a player from the top ten of the world rankings.
“What can I say? It’s an incredible week. I’ve been playing very well here since the beginning. I knew I could play with such great players. It’s an incredible feeling to reach the semi-finals and beat players like this. I feel amazing. I hope this is how I will play tomorrow in the semifinals as well,” said Menšík in an interview on the court.
“Playing at the tournament in Doha was the first choice for me. I haven’t had such a chance yet. I played in Bahrain last week, so it was a good opportunity for me to continue the Arab streak. I’m very happy for these matches,” added Menšík.
The 116th player in the world won the first set thanks to a break in the seventh game. After 38 minutes, he served the opening set to the end. He converted the first set ball.
In the second set, Menšík got into difficult situations several times, but he overcame them all. First, in the fourth game, he turned around an unfavorable score of 0:40 during his own service, and later also deflected the Russian’s set point at the score of 5:6.
Although the Czech tennis player lost 3:5 in the shortened game, thanks to three balls in a row, he turned the tide. With the score at 6:6, Rubljov sent a well-played ball into the net, and Menšík immediately took the second offered match point in the match.
“I’m not done yet. Hopefully I’ll be able to reach the final. But now I want to enjoy these moments. I’ll prepare for tomorrow and do my best to succeed,” added Menšík.
Doha Men’s Tennis Tournament (hard surface, $1,493,465 subsidy):
Singles – quarterfinals: Menšík (CZ) – Rubljov (1-Rus.) 6:4, 7:6 (8:6), Monfils (Fr.) – Humbert (3-Fr.) 6:2, 6:4.
Dubai Women’s Tennis Tournament (hard court, $3,211,715 endowment):
Singles – Quarter Finals: Cirsteaová (Roman) – Vondroušová (7-ČR) 2:6, 7:6 (7:1), 6:2, Paoliniová (It.) – Rybakinová (4-Kaz.) without a fight.