Mensik's momentum continues, captures first Masters 1000 win

Peter Staples/ATP Tour

Jakub Mensik’s breakthrough season hit a new milestone Thursday.

The 18-year-old defeated South Korea’s Seongchan Hong 6-3, 6-4 at the BNP Paribas Open, marking the Czech's first main-draw victory at ATP Masters 1000 level.

Despite making just 48 per cent of his first serves throughout the one-hour, 19-minute opening-round match, Mensik won 24 of 29 points behind his hefty first delivery to defeat the 26-year-old qualifier, who was also making his ATP Masters 1000 debut.

Mensik, who is in first place in the PIF ATP Live Race to Jeddah, is among five #NextGenATP players remaining in the Indian Wells main draw. The World No. 81 will look to build upon his early-season momentum in a heavy hitting second-round clash against 16th seed Ben Shelton.

The wild card Mensik arrived in Indian Wells just two weeks removed from a dream run in Doha, where he became the youngest finalist in tournament history. He is aiming for his maiden trip to the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, which runs from 18-22 December in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

#NextGenATP Shang Juncheng secured his maiden Masters 1000 win in his fifth attempt Thursday, when he defeated Jordan Thompson 6-2, 6-3. Despite failing to serve the match out at 5-1, the Chinese teen quickly rebounded, sealing his spot in the second round on his fifth match point.

The lefty, who advanced through qualifying, will next face 20th seed Alexander Bublik. A semi-finalist at this year's ATP 250 in Hong Kong, Shang is fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race to Jeddah.