Decided at 7-all in the final breaker
The clock in France had gone past 1am. Ugo Blanchet beat Jakub Mensik 6-7 (2), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7), with the last tie-break sitting at 7-all before it broke his way.
Mensik took the opener in a breaker. Blanchet answered with one of his own. The Czech grabbed the third 6-3 and looked like the stronger man. He was not. Blanchet took the fourth 6-4 and then survived a fifth set that came down to a handful of points.
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Mensik had it and gave it back
Two sets to one up. Serving in the fourth to stay in front. The Czech was in control of this match more than once and could not finish it.
He won the Miami Masters 1000 in 2025, beating Novak Djokovic in the final, which is why a second-round loss to an unseeded opponent reads so badly. Four and a half hours on court, nothing to show for it.
Three French players in the third round
Blanchet arrived at Flushing Meadows without a seeding and is now into the third round. Benjamin Bonzi joined him after coming back from two sets down against Marcos Giron. Adrian Mannarino got past Jordan Thompson in four.
Three French names in the third round of a Slam is not a normal season’s return. The draw ahead of them will decide whether it becomes more than a good night.
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