Mensik’s serve makes him a dangerous opponent. When he’s locked in, he can force tiebreaks almost effortlessly, which is a nightmare scenario for anyone betting against him. However, Djokovic is the greatest returner in the history of the sport, and he has the ability to make Mensik uncomfortable—especially if he’s not making first serves at a high clip.
Mensik is also stepping into uncharted territory. This is his first Masters 1000 final, and he’s facing not just any opponent, but his childhood idol. That’s an insane amount of pressure for a 19-year-old. If those nerves creep in, Djokovic can capitalize immediately. A single break might be all it takes, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he secures a couple—especially if the humid conditions start to wear on Mensik, who has had trouble with heat early in his career.
Djokovic also thrives in these exact matchups. One of his greatest strengths is his ability to expose an opponent’s weakness and force them to beat him with their least reliable shot. In Mensik’s case, that means Djokovic will relentlessly target the forehand wing. Expect him to go cross-court repeatedly to draw errors, while using his signature down-the-line backhand to keep Mensik off balance and out of rhythm.
