Sun Mar 30 21:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Tennis Upset: Teenager Mensik Reaches Miami Open Final After Messi Meeting
**Miami, FL – March 29, 2025** – Nineteen-year-old Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic pulled off a major upset at the Miami Open, defeating world number four Taylor Fritz to reach his first Masters 1000 final. The young player credits a pre-match encounter with football superstar Lionel Messi for his incredible victory.
Mensik, who described Djokovic as his “biggest idol,” met Messi before the semi-final match. After shaking the Argentine’s hand, he playfully wrote “Thx Leo” on a camera lens. He jokingly attributed his win, a thrilling 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(4) victory, to not washing his hand after the encounter.
Mensik’s remarkable run will culminate in a final match against Novak Djokovic, who is seeking his 100th career title. The two players have met once before, with Djokovic winning in straight sets at the Shanghai Masters last October. This upcoming final marks a dream come true for Mensik, who cites Djokovic as his inspiration for taking up tennis.
First Piper 