Jakub Mensik reached his first Grand Slam semi-final on Tuesday, defeating Brazilian breakout star João Fonseca 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3) in two hours and 44 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland-Garros. The 20-year-old Czech 26th seed became the youngest Czech man to reach a major semi-final since Ivan Lendl reached the 1981 Paris semi-finals at age 21, according to Tennis Majors.
How did Mensik overcome a young rival in peak form?
Mensik's steadier serve and ability to execute under pressure proved decisive against the 19-year-old Fonseca, who had eliminated Novak Djoković and Casper Ruud earlier in the tournament. The opening set turned on a single break at 3-2, which Mensik held to close out 6-4. In the second set, Mensik broke twice—at 1-1 and 3-2—to build a 5-2 lead and eventually won 6-3. Fonseca fought back in the third set, breaking Mensik's serve but then being broken himself at 5-4 while serving for the set. Mensik wasted six match points before prevailing in the tiebreak 7-6(3).
What was the physical toll on both players?
Both men arrived at the quarter-final depleted after gruelling earlier rounds. Mensik had survived a four-hour-41-minute fifth-set battle against Mariano Navone, recovered from a 6-0 first-set deficit against Alex de Minaur, and outlasted Andrey Rublev across five sets in the round of 16. Days before the quarter-final, Mensik had collapsed on court following a second-round victory in sweltering conditions. Fonseca, meanwhile, was playing as the youngest Roland-Garros men's quarter-finalist since a 20-year-old Rafael Nadal faced teenage Novak Djoković in 2006.
What happens next?
Mensik will face title favourite Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. The victory represents Mensik's 23rd win of the 2026 season and marks a significant breakthrough for the young Czech player in his first major semi-final appearance.
Sources
- Tennis Majors: Mensik ends Fonseca's run after an immense battle on Chatrier, into his first Grand Slam semi-final. Published 2026-06-03.
- The Star: Tennis-Resolute Mensik makes Paris semis, Andreeva and Kostyuk set up meeting. Published 2026-06-03.
- Otago Daily Times Online News: Ice-cool Mensik and red-hot Andreeva into semis. Published 2026-06-03.
- Hindustan Times: Resolute Jakub Mensik makes French Open semis. Published 2026-06-03.
Reported from public sources.