Exhausted Jabuk Mensik collapses on court and cannot stand for several minutes after gruelling five-set win over Mariano Navone at French Open

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Jakub Mensik should have been celebrating reaching the third round of the French Open for the first time, but he was unable to even stand after winning a gruelling contest against Mariano Navone.

'Agony and ecstasy' as Mensik can't stand after winning epic

Video credit: TNT Sports

Mensik won the four-hour, 41-minute contest 6-3 2-6 6-4 2-6 7-6(11) after converting his seventh match point.

But he didn’t look like a winner after the final point.

Mensik started cramping during the match tie-break and was given a time violation for taking too much time between points.

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He had chances to close out the match sooner, but could not take them as Navone held on.

Eventually, Mensik managed to close it out and immediately fell to the floor in exhaustion.

Mensik looked in pain and didn’t get up as both Navone and the umpire came to check on him.

After some time, the medical team came on the court and after several minutes Mensik was able to get up and walk away.

”He has done it. What an effort that is,” said TNT Sports commentator Sue Thearle.

”The agony as well as the ecstasy for Mensik. They cannot believe it in his camp. He just wants to get off the court right now because he has been through it. He will need that ice bath desperately.

”Down but not out, Mensik, and that is a win that he will never ever forget.”

Jakub Mensik makes his way off court

Image credit: Getty Images

Mensik is a rising star on the ATP Tour and is one of only two players, along with Novak Djokovic, to beat world No. 1 Jannik Sinner this year.

He faces a tough challenge next at the French Open as he takes on eighth seed Alex de Minaur, who had a walkover in the second round.

”Unbelievably strong effort from Mensik,” said TNT Sports expert Mats Wilander.

”That is so great to see, because he is one of the young guys, along with Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien that we really believe in.

”He has a huge game, and he is showing that he has a huge heart.”

The playing conditions in Paris were demanding on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching around 33C.

While Argentina’s Navone might have been accustomed to them, they clearly took their toll on Mensik, who is from Czechia.

”I don’t know who I feel for more - Navone walking off the court seeing the man who has just beaten him lying on the court in distress and pain, or Mensik. How on earth does he recover from a match like that?” said TNT Sports expert Anne Keothavong.

”He has De Minaur next, so it doesn’t get any easier.”

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