Analysis: Mensik thwarted João Fonseca's few chances

In front of one of the best servers on the circuit, João Fonseca had enormous difficulty this Tuesday, in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros. And the potent serve of Jakub Mensik20 years old and 27th in the world, was one of the weapons in the 3 sets to 0 victory over Brazil's number 1. Practically throughout the match, the 1.96m giant made the Paris clay look like a fast court, such was his aggressiveness and precision in his strikes.

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The Brazilian's serve, which guaranteed him victories, mainly, over the Serbian Novak Djokovic (4º)the Norwegian Casper Ruud (16th) and the Croatian Dino Prizmic (72nd), was not as efficient this time.

To get an idea of ​​the superiority of the 2025 Miami Masters 1000 champion, the Brazilian only threatened the Czech's serve at the opening of the third half. And the only big chance for Brazil's number 1 in the entire match was set point, when he served at 5/4 in that same period. Furthermore, the 19-year-old carioca suffered in the match, to the point of having saved six match-points when he served at 5/6 in the final set.

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The Czech Republic's number 1 slotted in 11 aces this Tuesdayagainst 6 from Rio. In this regard, Mensik is now sixth at Roland Garros: there are 47, in five matches.

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Mensik also showed class when he went to the net, which is not always easy in duels against the Brazilian: won 38 of 51 attempts.

The executioner's first serve was a nightmare for João Fonseca

One of the numbers that show how dominant the European tennis player was is in points won with the first serve: 83%, compared to 70% from coach Guilherme Teixeira's pupil.

Facing João Fonseca, Mensik fired 49 winners (winning points)especially with his great right hand (37), against 39 from Rio. In this regard, the Czech has 245 in five games and is only behind the Italian Matteo Arnaldi (261, in four matches).

Even though he was so aggressive, the 27th player in the world made just one more unforced error than Brazil's number 1: 39 to 38.

Under so much pressure, João Fonseca came to saving 16 of the rival's 21 break chances (which had 24% success). In this regard, the Brazilian – who spent 14h29m on the court in the first four matches – was superior, converting two of the five opportunities (40%).

Brazil's number 1 returns from Paris with his head held high, with the country's best campaign in Grand Slams, in the men's singles category, since 2004, with three-time champion Guga Kuerten on French clay.

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The Czech, after his best performance so far, showed weapons that could surprise the German favorite Alexander Zverev, number 3 in the world, his rival in Friday's semifinal.