Mensik stuns Sinner in Doha for career-best win, Fils next!
Jakub Mensik defeated Jannik Sinner 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3 on Thursday evening. He’ll play Frenchman Arthur Fils in the next round
Jakub Mensik, Doha 2026 | © Imago / PsNewz
Jakub Mensik produced the biggest surprise of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open on Thursday evening, defeating world No 2 Jannik Sinner 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals.
The 20-year-old Czech, currently ranked No 16, recorded the best win of his career by upsetting the second seed in a 2-hour and 13-minute battle. For Mensik, this result represents his most significant victory since his 2025 Miami Open final triumph over Novak Djokovic.
Despite winning more total points in the match, 89 to Mensik’s 86, Sinner was unable to overcome the Czech’s clinical surges. Mensik secured the decisive breaks in the first and final games of the third set to reach back-to-back semi-finals in Doha.
The defeat leaves Sinner with a 7-2 record for the 2026 season and no titles across his first two tournaments. Similar to his Australian Open semi-final loss to Djokovic, the Italian suffered defeat despite maintaining a higher overall point tally. Sinner had previously advanced through the draw with straight-sets wins over Tomas Machac and Alexei Popyrin.
“Of course before the match I knew about Jannik’s qualities,” Mensik said following the win. “He’s a great guy. A great champion. I knew it was gonna be a tough one… I’m really happy I came back after the toilet break. From the beginning of the 3rd set I just started to serve well again.”
Mensik will next face Arthur Fils in the semi-finals. The 21-year-old Frenchman, who recently added Goran Ivanisevic to his team, reached the last four by defeating eighth seed Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-3. Fils is also on a strong path back following an injury hiatus, reaching his second semi-final in three tournaments.
