The Miami Open final on Sunday will see the largest age gap in the history of Masters 1000, since Novak Djokovic, 37, faces Jakub Mensik, 19. The Serbian star is chasing another title, while Mesik points to an innovative victory.
The two players met for the last time 169 days ago in the Shanghai Masters, where Djokovic won a hard quarter 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-4. However, Mesik believes he has improved since then.
“Now I am a different player,” said the Czech teenager after his dramatic victory over Taylor Fritz in the semifinals. “In Shanghai, I was nervous. I could not control my nerves. But in recent months, I have become mentally. I feel comfortable in the court here, and I am entering the final to win, no doubt.”
Mesik has been in good shape, defeating the best players as the Indian Wells Jack Draper champion, Fritz and Roberto Bautista Aguut. Among active players with at least 10 games against the 10 best opponents, it has the third best winning percentage, only behind Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
Meanwhile, Djokovic has been dominant in Miami, winning all his games in straight sets. The 24 times Grand Slam champion defeated Rinky Hijikata, Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Lorenzo Musetti, Sebastian Korda and Grigor Dimitrov without many problems.
Mesik did not achieve a single service break in his battle of three sets against Fritz. Now, he faces Djokovic, who has served in an impressive 80% or more in four of his five games in Miami. This means that the young Czech will have to keep his own service under immense pressure.
Although Mesik is determined to win, facing Djokovic in a 1000 Masters final is a difficult challenge. Regardless of the result, this experience could be a key moment in its promising career.
