"Maybe with the better shot selection, I could be the one who could win it" - Jakub Mensik outlines details over semi-final defeat to Zverev

Jakub Mensik's French Open campaign is over, but he can leave with his head held high after defeating a number of high calibre names enroute to the semi-final. He fell short against the number two seed Alexander Zverev who defeated him 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. The 20-year-old reflected on a tough match with regrets over his shots selections on court.

After the second round win against Mariano Navone, many tennis fans would have laughed off the possibility of Mensik reaching this stage of the tournament. That reality looked true when Alex de Minaur bageled him in the opening set of their third round clash. However, the Czech rallied and put in a tremendous display of tennis to defeat not just the Aussie but Andrey Rublev and Joao Fonseca on the way to setting up a tie with Zverev for a spot in the Roland Garros final.

He knew that he would need to take his chances, and that was not what he did in the first set when three break points came and went. The German showed him how it was done before bossing the second set to leave Mensik on the ropes.

A medical timeout was called, and it looked bleak. Nevertheless, out of nowhere Mensik strode back into the match, winning the third set and gaining a lifeline. It was not to be in the end as Zverev took command of the fourth set, breaking before cruising over the finishing line with a maiden Grand Slam title in sight.

Mensik reminisced on his performance in his first ever Grand Slam semi-final, speaking to the media afterwards. “First two sets, I mean, it was really tough for me, like I said, to find the rhythm, to find myself on the court. Physically and mentally, as well,” Mensik explained.

“Like I’m saying, Sascha is a guy who is not giving you any rhythm so long between the rallies, and kind of I struggled to find the great rhythm and to find my zone, which I couldn’t do it those two sets, which obviously leads to a little bit drop of energy. And kind of, you know, physically I would say, of course, it’s a long tournament. I recovered well those two days, but still, during the match, I felt like my left neck was getting a little bit stiffer."

There was discomfort but the threat of anything serious was instantly shrugged off. “I mean, I wouldn’t say it’s an injury or something that will get me out for a long time," he confirmed. "But it was just at that moment that, you know, I felt a stiff neck, which didn’t allow me to do some movements. So I would say of course it’s a little discomfort during the match. Yeah, I mean, it’s nothing serious, and it’s gonna be okay.”

He touched on his game plan going into the match, meticulously planned and mapped out with the aid of his coaching team. It was always going to be tough against an opponent with the calibre of Zverev, and that was exactly the case.

“It was for me very difficult to get into the rhythm, to get into my zone. I had my game plan, which was, you know, in some of the ways it was super tough to choose the right shot selection,” Mensik said.

“So, yes, I mean, if it would be, for example, tomorrow, after tomorrow, and I would play the same maybe with the better shot selection, I could be the one who could win it. But like I say, all credit to Sascha today. Like I’m saying, he kept his momentum, he kept his rhythm, and didn’t allow me to take it from him."

To get so tantalisingly close to what could have been Grand Slam glory is a tough pill to swallow for many tennis players. For Mensik, it is a huge step in the right direction. The former Miami Open champion still has a long way to go in this sport and has proven that he is the real deal.

While in recent times the hype has been surrounding other young talents such as Fonseca and Rafael Jodar, Mensik has been left out of the spotlight. He is now front and centre with a marvellous two weeks of tennis portrayed at Roland Garros.

“I mean, right now of course I’m sad because of the loss, but hopefully in couple of hours, couple of days, I will look at that match or not just the match but the tournament overall in a positive way," he admitted.

“But, you know, right now when I think about what happened those two weeks, those last two weeks, of course this one match that I lost, even with a solid performance, it’s, you know, still, there is many more positives about that. So I’m, first of all, super happy that I could reach the semifinals and that I could beat a lot of top players. And actually, you know, there were a lot of tough moments that, you know, it was basically already done for me. But I stand up and I kept fighting, and I find a way how to win.

“Also, when the momentum was on my side and I was in a good shape and I was really, you know, up in my game, I showed my best what is in me. So, I mean, a lot of stories these two weeks, and when I’m talking about it and I’m keeping this rhythm two weeks, it’s super, super tough. And especially, you know, I’m in a Grand Slam about playing with the top players. Especially for me, as well, because it’s my first time, and a lot of things happen for the first time. So I’m happy that I manage it quite well, and, yeah, I will take it as a great, great tournament.”

Grass is now calling for Mensik. He has a week off before returning to Queen's Club Championships. He could only manage a last-16 appearance there last year. Another week off will lead into Wimbledon where he will be hoping to better his third round showing last year.