Jakub Mensik needed over nine months to grab a top-20 victory.
The young Czech faced Casper Ruud at the United Cup and prevailed 7-5, 7-6 in two hours and eight minutes.
Hard. Fought. š¤
Jakub Mensik gets a first Top 20 win since April, beating Ruud 7-5 7-6 at the #UnitedCup! pic.twitter.com/5w0FKHCHh1
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 5, 2026
The two great rivals fought well at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney. Ruud kept fighting and created a set point in the tie break before Mensik denied it and sealed the deal without playing a decider.
The Miami Open champion fired 16 aces and outplayed the Norwegian behind the first serve. Jakub struggled on the second serve but denied five of seven break points. Casper could not repeat his performance from the opening match against de Minaur.
World no. 12 lost 41% of the points in his games and experienced three breaks from six chances presented to his rival. The Czech clinched a break in the third game of the match when his rival sprayed a forehand error.
Jakub Mensik & Casper Ruud, United Cup 2026© Stream screenshot
Mensik landed a service winner in the fourth game for 3-1 before Ruud pulled the break back with a fine attack in game six and a crafty volley winner at the net. They served well in the next four games for 5-5.
Casper squandered a game point in game 11 and played a loose forehand on a break point to find himself 6-5 behind. Jakub served for the set in game 12 and welcomed the rival's loose backhand on a set point, taking the first part of the match in 56 minutes.
The Czech faced the ultimate test in the second game of the second set. He played against four break points and denied them with winner to remain on the positive side. They provided four fine holds after that.
The younger player landed a drop shot winner in the seventh game, providing a break at 15 and moving closer to the finish line. The 20-year-old fired an ace in the eighth game and moved 5-3 in front.
Jakub Mensik, United Cup 2026© Stream screenshot
Ruud had one more chance to prolong the battle at 4-5. He kept his focus and fired a forehand winner to pull the break back and lock the result at 5-5. The Norwegian denied a break point in game 11 with a fine attack.
The set went into a tie break, and world no. 12 forged a 4-2 and a 5-3 advantage. Jakub landed a deep return in the ninth point before netting a routine forehand at 5-5 to offer his rival a set point.
The Czech saved it with a forehand crosscourt winner and landed a smash winner for 7-6 and a match point. He converted it with another smash winner, sealing the deal and celebrating his first top-20 victory since April.
