Dimitrov’s 100th ATP Masters 1000 event ends with loss to Mensik in Shanghai

Czech Jakub Mensik edged out Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, the No 9 seed, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Shanghai Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on Wednesday.

In a battle that extended beyond two hours, Mensik outplayed Dimitrov, competing in his 100th ATP Masters 1000 tournament, in nearly every department.

Mensik threatened the Bulgarian’s serve a staggering 15 times, managing to break it thrice. He hit 10 aces and won 78 percent of his first-serve points against Dimitrov’s five and 66 percent to reach his first Masters 1000 level quarter-final.

The 19-year-old ended the match with a sublime backhand winner down the line, breaking into a roaring celebration.

Mensik, ranked No 65, will play Serb Novak Djokovic, the No 4 seed, next.

Jakub Mensik won against Spaniard Pedro Martinez Portero (6-1, 5-7, 6-4), Russian Andrey Rublev, the No 6 seed (6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-3) and Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko (6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2) ahead of his victory.

In the previous rounds of the Shanghai tournament, Dimitrov, ranked No 10, defeated Belgian Zizou Bergs (6-3, 3-6, 6-2) and Australian Alexei Popyrin, the No 20 seed (7-6 (5), 6-2).

Shanghai Masters 1000, other last 16 results (Qi Zhong Tennis Center, hard, USD 8.995.555, most recent results first):

• Taylor Fritz vs. Holger Rune
• David Goffin vs. Alexander Zverev
• Novak Djokovic beat Roman Safiullin: 6-3, 6-2
• Tomas Machac (30) beat Tommy Paul (11): 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
• Carlos Alcaraz (3) beat Gael Monfils: 6-4, 7-5
• Daniil Medvedev (5) beat Stefanos Tsitsipas (10): 7-6 (3), 6-3
• Jannik Sinner (1) beat Ben Shelton (14): 6-4, 7-6 (1)

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