“He plays like a modern-day Berdych”: Tiafoe after saving match points to beat Mensik in Miami

Frances Tiafoe underlined his resilience at the Miami Open, saving match points to defeat defending champion Jakub Mensik in a three-set battle, sealing the win with a 13-11 tiebreak in the decider. The American, who admitted he relied on a “no bailouts” mindset in key moments, advances to the fourth round in Miami for the fifth time in his career.

The result continues a strong start to the season for Tiafoe, who improves to a 14-6 record in 2026, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the Acapulco Open. In Miami, he had already dispatched Arthur Cazaux in straight sets before overcoming Mensik 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(13-11) in one of the most demanding matches of the tournament.

Beyond the scoreline, the nature of the win stood out. Tiafoe was pushed to the limit by Mensik’s power and consistency, facing 22 aces and extended baseline exchanges, but remained composed in decisive moments, particularly in a final-set tiebreak that stretched to 24 points and required sustained precision under pressure.

His latest victory puts him one step away from matching that result, with a fourth-round clash against Terence Atmane next. This marks another deep run at an event where Tiafoe has previously found success, reaching the quarter-finals in 2019 with wins over David Ferrer and David Goffin before falling to Denis Shapovalov.

Mensik’s serving proved a constant threat throughout the match, with the defending champion firing 22 aces and dictating play during extended phases. Tiafoe described moments where the Czech’s level was so high it effectively “takes the racket out of your hand,” particularly on Miami’s fast courts, where flat groundstrokes skid through the surface.

The American was repeatedly forced onto the defensive, absorbing pressure while waiting for opportunities to extend rallies. Rather than matching power with power, he adjusted by prioritising consistency and patience, allowing him to stay competitive even when Mensik controlled the tempo.

“He can go through flashes where he’s playing extremely well, where it kind of takes the racket out of your hand," the American said to Tennis Channel. "He plays like a modern-day Berdych—flat on both sides, through the court, and the ball skids here. So it can be really tough at times.”

The decisive phase came in the final-set tiebreak, where Tiafoe trailed 10-9 and was forced into a 25-shot rally under maximum pressure. Rather than forcing the issue, he relied on discipline, repeating the mantra of “no bailouts” to avoid low-percentage decisions and trust his endurance in long exchanges.

This composure reflects a broader shift in his game. Tiafoe acknowledged that similar matches might have slipped away in previous seasons, but credited his offseason work for improving his ability to remain present and composed in uncertain moments. “I was just telling myself that I’m tougher than him," Big-Foe added. "If we get on this treadmill, I’m the one who’s going to die first. I just kept telling myself: no bailouts. If he goes for something and hits a clean winner, I can live with it. But I was ready to just keep going.”

“That was the delayed gratification I was looking for. I wouldn’t win that match last year. To stay tough and present in uncertain moments—that’s the biggest thing I’ve taken from all the work I put in.”

The victory also marked Tiafoe’s 250th ATP Tour win, reinforcing his position among the more experienced players on tour. While the milestone reflects consistency, his focus remains on progression, with immediate goals tied to deeper runs at major events and long-term ambitions extending further.

Up next is French left-hander Terence Atmane, a stylistically different opponent who will test Tiafoe’s adaptability. With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, the American will look to build on both his physical resilience and the mental clarity that proved decisive against Mensik. “250 is a lot of dubs. I want to keep going—hit 300 pretty soon. When I’m done, I’d love to be close to 500. That’s a big number, so I’ve got to really put my head down the next few years.”