Ice-cool Mensik denies teenager Fonseca, reaches Paris semi-finals

02 Jun 2026, 21:27 · CNA · Join

Czech Republic's Jakub Mensik in action during his quarter final match against Brazil's Joao Fonseca, Tennis, French Open, Roland Garros, Paris, France, June 2, 2026. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 2, 2026 Czech Republic's Jakub Mensik celebrates winning his quarter final match against Brazil's Joao Fonseca REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 2, 2026 Brazil's Joao Fonseca reacts during his quarter final match against Czech Republic's Jakub Mensik REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

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PARIS, June 2 : Jakub Mensik battled past Brazilian breakout star Joao Fonseca with a 6-4 6-3 7-6(3) win to make the semi-finals of the French Open on Tuesday and become the youngest Czech man to reach that stage at a Grand Slam.

Days after collapsing on the red dirt of Paris following his second-round victory in sweltering conditions, Mensik shone on a cool evening following a spell of rain to book a last-four clash with title favourite Alexander Zverev.

After four straight holds of serve to kick off the contest under the Court Philippe Chatrier roof, the momentum swung when Mensik edged ahead with a break, and the 20-year-old Czech stayed firm from there to win the opening set.

The ice-cool Mensik tightened his grip on the contest when the second set unfolded in similar fashion, as the 19-year-old Fonseca's serve let him down in a crucial moment and he then struggled to find a way past the wall in front of him.

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The youngest Roland Garros men's quarter-final since a 20-year-old Rafa Nadal defeated a teenage Novak Djokovic in 2006 looked in danger of becoming a rout as Mensik bagged the set when his opponent pushed a shot wide.

With his adoring Brazilian fans stunned and the frustration rising, Fonseca came out firing in the third set, but was broken when serving for it at 5-4. Mensik drew level before wasting six match points and eventually prevailing via a tiebreak.

Ice-cool Mensik denies teenager Fonseca, reaches Paris semi-finals

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