Jakub Mensik had to be helped from the court in a wheelchair after collapsing from cramps following his gruelling five-set victory over Mario Navone at the French Open. The 20-year-old Czech, seeded 26th, fell to the clay after prevailing 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (13-11) in a marathon match lasting four hours and 41 minutes in sweltering Paris heat.
Match Drama and Physical Toll
Mensik, who had earlier required a medical timeout for cramping, was unable to shake hands with Navone at the net after match point. The Argentine walked around to where Mensik lay on the clay to offer his congratulations. The Czech remained flat on his back for several minutes as physios and paramedics were called, prompting a wheelchair to be brought onto Court 6.
Despite the severity of the cramps, Mensik managed to rise and shuffle off the court to applause, but then needed the wheelchair to exit the venue. The former Miami Open champion, one of only two players to defeat world No. 1 Jannik Sinner this year (alongside Novak Djokovic), has previously struggled in five-set matches.
Next Opponent and Milestone
Mensik is scheduled to face eighth seed Alex de Minaur in the third round on Friday. De Minaur advanced via walkover after Belgium's Alexander Blockx withdrew with an ankle injury. This victory marks Mensik's first time reaching the third round of the French Open, having saved two match points at 5-5 in the fifth set and converting his ninth match point in the tiebreak to seal the epic win.
