Madrid Open Recap: Jakub Menšík Stuns Alexander Zverev in Three-Set Thriller

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief

MADRID — The red clay of the Mutua Madrid Open witnessed one of its biggest upsets early Wednesday morning when unseeded Czech teenager Jakub Menšík outlasted world No. 2 Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 in a grueling 2-hour, 47-minute battle. The 19-year-old Menšík, ranked No. 23 and playing in only his second ATP Masters 1000 main draw, saved a match point in the second-set tiebreak before breaking Zverev’s serve twice in the deciding set to secure his first career win over a top-5 opponent.

The Match in Numbers

The stats sheet tells a story of razor-thin margins. Menšík landed 60% of his first serves (83/138) compared to Zverev’s 71% (71/100), but the German won a staggering 71% of points behind his first delivery to Menšík’s 60%. Where the Czech made up ground was on second serves: Menšík won 67% of those points, although Zverev managed just 56%. The match turned on just four key moments: two double faults from Zverev in the second-set tiebreak (including one on match point), and two clutch breaks in the third set when Menšík needed them most.

Zverev’s power game was on full display — he hit four aces to Menšík’s one — but the 6’6” German struggled with consistency late, committing 28 unforced errors to Menšík’s 20. “When you’re playing someone like Zverev, you realize you’re going to have to weather storms,” said Menšík’s coach, former ATP player Martin Damm, in a post-match interview. “Jakub stayed calm in the tiebreak, and that’s what champions are made of.”

Key Moments That Decided the Match

• First Set (Zverev 6-4): Zverev broke early in the fourth game with a blistering backhand return winner and consolidated with a hold at love, using his superior height to dominate the baseline rallies. Menšík’s only break chance came at 4-5, but Zverev saved it with a 130-mph serve down the T.
• Second Set (Menšík 7-6(3)): The set swung on a 12-point game at 4-4, where Menšík saved three break points with clutch forehands before holding. In the tiebreak, Zverev raced to a 5-2 lead and had match point at 6-5, but Menšík responded with a backhand passing shot winner and a Zverev double fault to level at 6-6. Two points later, Zverev netted a routine backhand to give Menšík the set.
• Third Set (Menšík 7-5): Menšík broke Zverev’s serve in the sixth game with a cross-court forehand that caught the German flat-footed. Zverev had a chance to break back immediately, but Menšík saved two break points with serve-and-volley plays — a tactic he’d used sparingly but effectively throughout the match. Serving for the match at 6-5, Menšík held at love, finishing with a 125-mph ace down the center.

What This Means for Both Players

For Menšík, the win is a career-defining moment. The Czech, who turned pro in 2022, had never advanced past the second round of a Masters 1000 event before this tournament. His previous best win was a straight-sets victory over then-No. 12 Cameron Norrie in Dubai earlier this year. “This is the biggest win of my life,” Menšík said courtside. “I’ve dreamed of beating someone like Sascha [Zverev] since I was a kid. The crowd here in Madrid was amazing, and I fed off that energy.”

Menšík’s next opponent is Carlos Alcaraz, the home favorite and world No. 3, in the third round. Alcaraz, who received a first-round bye, watched the match from the player’s box and was seen exchanging words with Menšík afterward. “Carlos is the best clay-court player in the world right now,” Menšík admitted. “But I’ll go out there and try to play my game. I have nothing to lose.”

For Zverev, the loss is a setback in his quest to reclaim the No. 1 ranking. The German, who won the Madrid Open in 2018 and 2021, was bidding to become the first player to reach the quarterfinals in all three clay-court Masters 1000 events this season (he reached the semis in Monte Carlo and the quarters in Rome last year). “I had my chances, especially in that second-set tiebreak,” Zverev said. “I made a couple of unforced errors at the wrong time. That’s tennis — sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.”

Zverev will now turn his attention to the Italian Open in Rome, where he’ll appear to defend his 2025 title. His early exit in Madrid, however, means he’ll drop to No. 3 in the ATP rankings next week, behind Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Tactical Breakdown: How Menšík Neutralized Zverev’s Power

Zverev’s game is built on two pillars: his serve and his forehand. In this match, Menšík found ways to disrupt both. Here’s how:

1. Targeting the Backhand: Zverev’s backhand is his weaker wing, and Menšík exploited it relentlessly. Of the 28 unforced errors Zverev committed, 18 came on the backhand side. Menšík directed 62% of his groundstrokes to Zverev’s backhand, forcing the German into defensive mode.
2. Varying Serve Placement: Zverev’s first serve is one of the best in the game, but Menšík stood further back to return, giving himself more time to react. He also mixed in slice returns to Zverev’s body, disrupting the German’s rhythm. Menšík won 40% of his return points on Zverev’s first serve — well above the ATP average of 28%.
3. Using the Drop Shot: Menšík hit 12 drop shots in the match, winning 9 of them. This kept Zverev guessing and prevented the German from settling into his preferred baseline rallies. “Jakub’s drop shot is one of the best on tour,” said ESPN analyst Brad Gilbert. “He uses it not just to win points but to change the tempo of the match.”
4. Staying Aggressive on Second Serves: Zverev’s second serve is his biggest vulnerability, and Menšík attacked it mercilessly. He won 67% of points against Zverev’s second serve, compared to just 56% for Zverev on his own second deliveries. In the third set, Menšík won 10 of the last 12 points on Zverev’s second serve.

What’s Next for Menšík?

Menšík’s third-round match against Alcaraz is scheduled for Friday, May 1, at 3:00 PM local time (1:00 PM UTC) on Stadium Manolo Santana. The match will be broadcast live on Tennis Channel in the U.S. And Amazon Prime Video in Europe.

If Menšík can pull off another upset, he’ll advance to the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career. A win would also catapult him into the top 20 of the ATP rankings, making him the youngest player in the top 20 since Carlos Alcaraz in 2022.

Key Takeaways

• Historic Upset: Menšík’s win is the first time a teenager has defeated a top-3 player at the Madrid Open since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
• Clutch Under Pressure: Menšík saved a match point in the second-set tiebreak and broke Zverev’s serve twice in the deciding set.
• Tactical Masterclass: Menšík’s game plan — targeting Zverev’s backhand, varying serve returns, and using drop shots — was executed to near-perfection.
• Rankings Shakeup: Zverev drops to No. 3 in the ATP rankings, while Menšík is projected to rise to No. 18 if he reaches the quarterfinals.
• Next Challenge: Menšík faces Alcaraz in the third round, with the winner likely to face Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals.

How to Follow the Rest of the Tournament

For live scores, stats, and updates, visit the official ATP Tour Madrid Open page. Fans can also follow the tournament on social media:

• Twitter: @MutuaMadridOpen
• Instagram: @mutuamadridopen

What do you believe of Menšík’s chances against Alcaraz? Will this win be the breakthrough moment of his young career? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to follow Archysport for more in-depth tennis coverage.