French Open LIVE: Czech starlet Jakub Mensik withstands late Joao Fonseca fightback to book semi-final spot

“Joao is a great guy and a great competitior. Before the match I knew it would be a tough one.

“We started a little nervous. At the end of the match, there were some incredible shots and I am super happy I was the one who came back. I managed to stay focused and keep fighting until the end.

“It was really tough to stay focused until the end and I had match points, I am really happy that I managed to come back in the tie-break and move my game a little bit forward.”

The match in some ways mimicked those early clashes between Alcaraz and Sinner: the flashy, much-hyped, pure shotmaker and entertainer against the more brutal, clinical, machine-like opponent. And in this case it was the precise serving of Mensik – coupled with a delicate touch at the net – that prevailed over the more spectacular, but equally more erratic, tennis of his 19-year-old challenger.

The Czech sped through the first two sets before a sudden drop-off in the third, with Fonseca pulling ahead only to be pegged back several times and eventually falling 6-4 6-3 7-6(3) – having saved six match points along the way.

It’s that ridiculous cross-court drop shot that stands him in good stead again, after another ridiculous rally, and Jakub Mensik is through to the semi-finals!

The pair share a warm hug at the net. Quite the match.

Mensik’s serve is firing nicely and he keeps ahead at 6-3. More match points…

A lethal serve down the T has Mensik just about ahead, although he can’t keep a tricky serve out wide by Fonseca within the lines.

Fonseca goes long on the first exchange, then tries to get the better of Mensik with a drop shot – but the Czech just about gets there before it dies and the cross-court reply is too much for Fonseca.

Just brilliant from the 19-year-old, who floats up to the net and palms a delicate backhand drop shot right onto the line. Another game point…. and Mensik, going for the down the line backhand, hits the net!

But the second is good, and the next forehand is even better! Seventh deuce.

Fonseca has his head in his hands as he gets to a net volley but whacks it into the tape. A sixth match point for the Czech.

The crowd cheer and applaud the young Brazilian… first serve is well wide.

Fonseca clips the line with a cross-court forehand and has game point of his own.

Mensik attacks a second serve and Fonseca blinks first, thumping into the net. Sixth deuce.