Alex de Minaur was eliminated from the French Open in a dramatic third-round match, squandering a one-set lead to fall 0-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 against Czech teenager Jakub Mensik. The Australian eighth seed, who had a golden opportunity to advance after top seed Jannik Sinner's shock exit, was outplayed by the 19-year-old in a match that lasted two hours and 25 minutes.
Dominant Start Turns Sour
De Minaur began the match in blistering form, breaking Mensik's serve immediately and winning 16 consecutive points. The Czech player managed only five points in the entire first set, which lasted just 19 minutes and ended with a bagel. At that stage, thoughts turned to a potential fourth-round clash with Andrey Rublev.
However, Mensik transformed after the set break. He emerged with renewed energy, hitting with greater precision and moving more effectively. He broke de Minaur's serve in the second game of the second set, winning a 21-stroke rally in the process, and began to overpower the Australian with his superior power and accuracy.
Mensik's Resurgence
De Minaur, who had been nearly flawless in the first set, suddenly made 17 unforced errors in the second set as he lost seven games in a row across the second and third sets. Mensik, who had defeated Sinner earlier in the tournament, went on a five-game winning streak, racing through the third set and taking a 3-0 lead in the fourth.
Frustration boiled over for de Minaur when he smashed his racket into the clay after Mensik hit a volley at 4-2, earning a code violation. He was unable to recover, and Mensik sealed the victory with a fierce inside-out forehand.
Australian Hopes Rest on Kasatkina
The defeat leaves Daria Kasatkina as the only Australian remaining in the singles draws. She faces a tough challenge against world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
