Jakub Mensik’s fine 2025 has continued with a relatively simple first-round win at the Cincinnati Open.
It’s a testament to how impressive this 19-year-old sensation is that he is making wins in the early stages of competitions so commonplace, having dispatched American Ethan Quinn with minimal fuss.
You would have to go back to April to find the last time the teenager exited in the first round of an ATP event, and even that came immediately after he snatched the biggest title of his career in Miami, as Mensik defeated Novak Djokovic in the final.
A big-serving all-court threat, the future is exceedingly bright for Mensik.
And, with the statistic he has just claimed with his latest Cincinnati Open win, that notion is only exemplified.
Jakub Mensik rivalling Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic
In a record outlined by Tennis TV, they have compared Mensik with some of the other teenage sensations to have shone over the past few decades.
Naturally, all of the Big Four feature, in a list that has compiled the winning records of every ATP player as a teenager at Masters 1000 events.
Yesterday marked the 21st of Mensik’s young career, drawing level with the 21 that Andy Murray managed whilst he was a teenager.
This figure is above the likes of Pete Sampras and Lleyton Hewitt, and actually puts the Czech within two wins of equalling Novak Djokovic in this key statistic as well.
Naturally, Rafael Nadal tops this list by some distance, with his 53 wins way higher than Carlos Alcaraz in second, on 36.
However, it puts Mensik in remarkably good company and should bode well for his future.
Jakub Mensik is yet to make his Grand Slam breakthrough
Whilst Mensik has impressed in all manner of tournaments, specifically Masters 1000 events, it’s fair to say that he is yet to have the breakthrough he would have wanted at a Grand Slam.
After all, he has now competed in seven main draws, but is yet to surpass the third round.
As a 17-year-old in 2023, his run to that stage at the US Open marked an extraordinary feat.
Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
However, two years on, more is expected of him, particularly given he has proven that he can challenge almost anyone on the tour.
This month marks a huge opportunity for him to return to New York as a transformed player, with all the talent needed to break through his glass ceiling and keep adding to his remarkable young legacy.