Jakub Mensik vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

ATP Eastbourne – Quarterfinal Preview

Jakub Mensik vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Date: 26 June 2025 | Time: 16:00 CEST
Surface: Grass | Location: Eastbourne

🧠 Form & Context

Jakub Mensik
🚀 Teen in top-20: 19-year-old Czech already an ATP 1000 finalist (Miami) and champion (Doha).
🌿 Building lawn résumé: 2–1 this swing; took down Opelka with 16 aces and 88% first-serve points won.
💪 Heavy baseline first-strike game: Translates to quick grass points, though movement is still maturing.
🔄 Revenge angle: H2H trails 1–2, but served for the match at AO before falling in five sets.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
🎢 Streaky shot-maker: SF Monte Carlo, F Acapulco, but early exits at IW/Madrid.
🌱 Grass spark: 2–0 this week (wins over Tseng & Duckworth) without dropping serve.
🏃‍♂️ Explosive movement: Unpredictable drop-shot/lob mix frustrates flat hitters on slick lawns.
🔑 Confidence booster: Beat Mensik from two sets down in Melbourne—knows how to weather the storm.

🔍 Match Breakdown

Expect lightning-fast exchanges. Mensik will hammer big first serves and look to finish with forehand one-twos, especially into ADF’s forehand side which sits lower on grass.

ADF’s best counter is variety—low skidding returns, surprise serve-and-volley plays, and his signature drop shots to drag Mensik off balance. If he extends rallies beyond six shots, Mensik’s error rate typically climbs.

Key levers:
• First-Serve % – Mensik averaged 67% this week; needs similar to avoid second-serve exposure.
• Return Depth – ADF must keep returns low and deep to blunt Mensik’s power starts.
• Mental edge – Their AO marathon showed both can swing momentum—tiebreak poise could decide it.

🔮 Prediction

Prediction: Mensik in 3 sets – expect at least one breaker and plenty of fireworks. A duel between raw firepower and variety-based disruption, with the teen edging ahead this time.