Doha, February 20 – Jakub Mensik caused a major upset at the Qatar Open when the 20-year-old stunned World No. 2 Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinal of the ATP 500 event.
Mensik defeated Sinner 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3, achieving his biggest win in terms of ATP ranking.
Two years ago, Mensik secured his first Top 5 victory against Andrey Rublev during his impressive run to the championship match in Doha.
The 2025 Miami champion Mensik is now 4-2 against Top 5 opponents, including victories against ATP No. 1 members Novak Djokovic and Sinner, and has risen to No. 13 in the ATP Live Rankings as a result of his performance in Doha so far, according to ATP reports.
“Before the match, I knew about Jannik’s quality. He is a great guy and a great champion. His achievements in his young career are impressive, so I knew it would be a tough match. But even with that thought, I came to the match with the intention of winning, and I actually had a winning mindset,” Mensik said.
He will attempt to reach the final in the Qatari capital for the second time on Friday, when he faces the 21-year-old Fils.
Frenchman Fils earned his first tour-level semi-final appearance since April last year by defeating Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-3, after returning to action earlier this month after playing just two matches in the preceding eight months due to a back injury.
“I didn't expect to play so well so quickly. You don't really know what to expect when you are returning from an injury, which has been six to eight months. So you don't really know what to expect.
“I am pretty happy with the way I am playing now. It is not my best tennis yet, but we are getting there. I just need to fight in every match, to play a lot of balls, to play a lot of games, sets, points, to get ready again, and to get better and better," said Fils in his post-match press conference.