Jakub Mensik reflects on first set struggles after beating Adam Walton in Miami Open opener

Jakub Mensik got his Miami Open title defence off to a winning start, but he wasn’t all that pleased with how he played against Adam Walton.

Mensik captured the Miami Open crown last year, becoming only the second unseeded player ever to win the ATP 1000 event after beating Novak Djokovic in the final.

Since then, the Czech has put together some notable performances, including a win over Jannik Sinner just last month.

But after being slowed by illness at Indian Wells, Mensik admitted that he struggled early on against Walton in Miami.

Jakub Mensik says he was ‘horrible’ in the first set of his Miami Open match

Mensik beat world number 85 Walton 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 to extend his unbeaten run in main draw matches at the Miami Open to seven matches.

He spoke about it during his on-court interview after the match, saying he struggled to find any rhythm early on against a player who had already played three matches heading into this one.

“Today was a very tough one for me and a really great victory, I mean much needed especially after last week, like you said I’ve been dealing with illness,” said Mensik.

“Really difficult to find the rhythm to come back to the match rhythm, which obviously Adam [Walton] was already here, three matches, for me first match. Didn’t know about the court that much, so I was finding myself on the court, but the longer the match was going, I was feeling more and more comfortable.

“So, I’m really happy I find myself back-to-back in the second and third set. Obviously really happy that mentally I stayed focussed and tough, especially after last. Like I’m saying, super happy that the pressure that was around, that I tried not to focus on that and focussed on my game and tried to live in this moment, because obviously new week and new tournament like every week.”

The 20-year-old also talked about taking a bathroom break between sets and how it helped him reset his mindset before turning things around.

The first set it was horrible from my side,” admitted the 20-year-old. “Like I’m saying, I’ve been trying to find the rhythm that I really needed so after the first set I went to the toilet, tried to really recover myself a little bit, tried to think about positive things that was in the first set.

“I’m happy that in the beginning of the second and third set I came back on court and actually tried to take the moment to my side. Of course when I started to lead, little break, I started to feel a little bit different. I tried a few strokes that I did a lot of mistakes in the first set, so yeah I’m happy with this match that I really needed before playing the big guys.”

“I tried a few strokes that were not right in those two sets so yeah overall super happy with this match because like you said next round will be top guys so obviously looking forward for these ones.”

Jakub Mensik is facing the pressure of defending ATP points in Miami

Mensik heads into his title defence ranked world number 13, just one spot below his career-high of 12.

But with so many points to defend, there is a real possibility that he could take a big hit in the rankings.

The Czech faces Frances Tiafoe next, who has made a strong start to the year and looks like a tough early draw. If Mensik loses, he could fall out of the top 25 and drop even lower depending on other results.

Despite the pressure, Mensik does have some history against Tiafoe to lean on. He won their only previous meeting in last year’s Davis Cup, which should give him some confidence heading into this matchup.

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