The duel got heated and produced one of the best matches in a good while. Jacub Mensik survived a brutal brawl with Ben Shelton 76 46 75, needing five points to conquer the top seeded American.
It became apparent some tension exists between the two rising forces when after the 19 year old Czech won the first set he yelled a CMON! with more emotion and emphasis than tennis observers would normally expect.
This bravado provoked the 22 year old Shelton to increase his emotional adrenaline in the second set which was an epic struggle and dog fight. Mensik had his chances including a love-40 on Shelton’s serve but the crafty lefthander, ranked 21 ATP, bravely escaped and won the set 64.
The 49th ranked Mensik raised his level in set three and went into Terminator mode, targeting Shelton’s weaker backhand side. Mensik was vulnerable too though and his forehand got tight. The result was night match thriller in Auckland.
Mensik finally edged it out 75 in the third, to level their head to head at 1-1, Shelton won their Indian Wells encounter last year 46 63 64.
It was hard to see the tension and grudge element between the two, because they tried their best to disguise it, but from seeing over 30 years of pro tennis I’m quite certain these two elite ambitious future champions will not be playing doubles together or sharing a practice court any time soon.
Mensik vs Shelton, keep an eye on this budding rivalry.
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Steve · January 9, 2025 at 7:35 am
Jenson Brooksby is back and facing Fritz. Fritz seems to hate playing him but Brooksby might be rusty.
Some good contrymen facing each other
Arnaldi (Brooksby with a forehand) vs. Musetti.
Shelton vs. Nakashima
I’ll be watching
RBA vs. Shapo & Davidovich vs. Shang.
Scoop Malinowski · January 9, 2025 at 7:13 pm
love that Brooksby vs Fritz. Monfils vs Perricard. Novak vs Basavareddy. Kevin vs Gauff.
Steve · January 10, 2025 at 7:48 am
Shang seems to pull out of a lot of matches. Are these strategic or his he really that sickly all the time?
Scoop Malinowski · January 10, 2025 at 9:32 am
He’s soft. He does it for practice too, Rios said if he doesn’t feel like training or something hurts he cancels practice and his parents, always around, let him skip practice if he says he’s got an ache or pain. What I gather is the kid is a prima donna.
Steve · January 10, 2025 at 10:24 am
I see. That’s not gonna get it done.
Scoop Malinowski · January 10, 2025 at 12:25 pm
The phenomenal talent is there to beat anyone. the heart, guts, fortitude are not, yet.
Steve · January 13, 2025 at 7:47 am
Another walk-over a day after my comment. Hopefully, he’ll age out of this.
Steve · January 14, 2025 at 7:51 am
Fonseca is even better than I thought. His mind is so mature for his age.
He really stuck out at the lower tournaments but he’s very composed on big stages. Berrettini beat him in Davis Cup and I think only players with gigantic forehands are going to bother him.
Scoop Malinowski · January 14, 2025 at 4:23 pm
Players with gargantuan forehands bother every one and there’s a lot of gargantuan forehands out there. But the kid is handling it and will continue to. Clearly Fonseca is one of those generational “the next one” talents. The youth brigade is incredible right now – Shang, Perricard, Tien, Basavareddy, Mensik, Lehecka, Landaluce, Michelsen Medjedovic, Prizmic. Tennis is in a good place, Djokovic is the ultimate inspiration.
Steve · January 15, 2025 at 10:08 am
Another lost generation of players (other than Thiem). They waited for the big 3 the age out without improving their games and now they will be steamrolled by the new phenoms.
Scoop Malinowski · January 15, 2025 at 10:52 am
Weird how they all deferred to Fedal but these unknowns play the match of their lives vs Djokovic.