Next Gen ATP Finals Prediction: Joao Fonseca vs Jakub Mensik
December 20, 2024 at 02:30 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Joao Fonseca +100 / Jakub Mensik -129
Joao Fonseca and Jakub Mensik meet in the third group match at the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The match is scheduled to take place on Friday, December 20, 2024. Here’s our Joao Fonseca vs Jakub Mensik prediction. This preview will also contain a Joao Fonseca vs Jakub Mensik pick.
Joao Fonseca Preview
Joao Fonseca remains undefeated at the Next Gen ATP Finals as the Brazilian picked up his second win of the week over Learner Tien. It was a rerun of their 2023 US Open junior’s final which Fonseca won, and he got the better of the American again.
Fonseca was unstoppable in the first two sets, winning both 4-0 in under half an hour. Tien responded in the third set, giving the crowd some of their money’s worth. However, Fonseca secured a crucial break in the sixth game of the fourth set to complete a four-set win.
Fonseca hit three aces and landed 70% of first serves in the match. He won 77% of first-serve points (23/30) and 69% of second-serve points (9/13) and only faced one break point.
The 18-year-old won 44% of return points (26/59) and compiled 18 winners and 17 unforced errors in the match.
Jakub Mensik Preview
Jakub Mensik is no longer in contention to qualify for the semifinal of the Next Gen ATP Finals after the Czech lost his second match of the week and sealed his elimination.
Mensik was beaten by top seed Arthur Fils 2-4, 3-4, 2-4 in what was the first straight-sets match of the tournament and lasted an hour and 19 minutes.
The World No.48 only hit two aces, which was way below the 24 he managed against Tien in his opening match. Mensik won a modest 33% of second-serve points (8/24) and lost his serve three times.
The 19-year-old tallied 13 winners but coughed up 31 unforced errors.
Joao Fonseca vs Jakub Mensik Head-To-Head
• Fonseca and Mensik have never met at any level before this.
Joao Fonseca vs Jakub Mensik Prediction
Prepare for first-strike tennis in this match. Fonseca has been taking the cover off the ball this week with his ferocious forehand. But I’m on Mensik here as I feel he can pose some a challenge and ask all the right questions with his massive serve. If anything Mensik has nothing to lose as his elimination is now confirmed so he can loosen up a bit and go for his shots.