Young star collapses, writhes in pain as 'insane' conditions bite in five set epic to set up Alex de Minaur clash
Updated . First published at
Czech star Jakub Mensik collapsed in agony after an intense five-set win over Argentina's Mariano Navone at Roland-Garros.
After writhing in pain on the red clay, Mensik, the 26th seed, was taken to the medical room in a wheelchair for treatment after the 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(11) ordeal that took four hours and 41 minutes.
The 20-year-old rising star was cramping up in the fifth set but somehow managed to do just enough to progress to the third round, where a daunting date with Australia's Alex de Minaur awaits.
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Jakub Mensik is in agony after his five-set win at Roland-Garros. Stan
Mensik eventually cooled down to fulfil his media commitments and was fuming about the conditions.
"It's insane to play in this weather, and especially in front of the sun," he said.
"To be there for more than four-and-a-half hours, that's just insane.
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Jakub Mensik of Czech Republic. Getty
"Even with the breaks, you don't have that much time. You have just one minute, which when you sit it's already just 30 seconds. There is not that much time to cool yourself down."
De Minaur, the eighth seed, will start a warm favourite after enjoying a second round walkover when Alexander Blockx was injured in practice.
But Mensik, the last player to beat world No.1 Jannik Sinner, insisted he'd be up for the fight.
Mariano Navone of Argentina and Jakub Mensik of Czech Republic. Getty
"Even if it looked horrible at the end, after 30 minutes in the locker rooms, when I was out of the sun, I started to feel much better. I'm here, feeling pretty well," Mensik said.
"I would say I'm feeling pretty well – it's just now about to put back the strength, a lot of fluids, and I'll be OK," he said.
"Alex has something similar game style as Navone today, so, of course, it will be very, very difficult to put him under the pressure, but I'm doing pretty well here, feeling really in good form, so I will do my best to keep fighting and to get the 'W'."
