Giant-killing teen Mensik crashes out of Australian Open / Photo: Yuichi YAMAZAKI - AFP
Giant-killing teen Mensik crashes out of Australian Open
Giant-killing Jakub Mensik's Australian Open ended Friday at the hands of Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina as the 19-year-old Czech crashed out in five gruelling sets.
Mensik stunned sixth seed Casper Ruud en route to the third round and looked on track for another win when he took a two-set lead in Melbourne.
He had a match point in the third-set tie break but failed to convert and the more experienced Davidovich Fokina ground his way back as Mensik ran out of puff.
The 66th-ranked Spaniard eventually got over the line 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4, 6-2 after a draining 3hrs 30mins.
It set him up with a clash against 12th seed Tommy Paul for a place in the quarter-finals after the American downed another Spaniard, Roberto Carballes Baena, in straight sets.
"Wow, I don't know how to describe my feelings," said Davidovich Fokina, who made the fourth round for the first time.
"Three wins for the first time in Australia, it means a lot."
Mensik is one of a trio of teens who set the Australian Open alight with wins over top-10 players, alongside Brazil's Joao Fonseca and American Learner Tien.
While Mensik and the highly rated Fonseca are now out, Tien is still alive after a massive five-set upset of fifth seed Daniil Medvedev.
He plays his third-round match against Frenchman Corentin Moutet on Saturday.
O.Alexiou--AN-GR
