A new threat has emerged on the ATP Tour after 19-year-old Jakub Menšík outlasted six-time winner Novak Djokovic to claim his maiden Masters 1000 title in Miami.
Menšík raised his level in the clutch moments with his big serve and ferocious power to escape unscathed in two tiebreaks, 7-6(4) 7-6(4), after a lengthy rain delay lasted nearly six hours.
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Amazingly, the former world No.2 junior won all seven tiebreaks contested over the past fortnight in Miami, including two against reigning Indian Wells champion Jack Draper and two tiebreaks over last year's US Open finalist Taylor Fritz.
He became the first man from Czechia to win a Masters title since Tomáš Berdych in 2005.
Facing his idol Djokovic, the teenage sensation had nothing but praise for the Serbian great during the trophy ceremony.
"I'm here because of you," Menšík said as he looked over his shoulder to Djokovic. "Thank you so much for everything you have done in this sport. Greatest of all time."
But it could have been a different outcome for Menšík, sharing a story of how he was moments away from withdrawing before the first-round.
"One hour before my first match in Miami, I was signing the paper to withdraw. I was lucky the referee was at lunch. Then the physio did a miracle," he said.
Menšík, the fourth man to win his first ATP title at a Masters event and ninth youngest Masters champion, now sits at a career-high No.24 after beginning the tournament ranked outside the top-50.
For Djokovic, title No.100 will need to wait for the meantime.
The 37-year-old visibly struggled towards the end of the match in tough humid conditions, but he was also battling a swollen eye.
Eye drops were used to try and improve the state of his eye during multiple changeovers, as more details will come to light shortly.
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