Jakub Mensik turns free iPhone into dream Doha week with first Top 5 win, ATP semifinal

Wild card Jakub Mensik is proving he knows how to make the most out of an incentive this week in Doha.

At the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, the rising Czech won the longest match in tournament history Wednesday when he edged out two-time event champion Andy Murray in the second round after three hours and 23 minutes.

Taking on Andrey Rublev a day later, Mensik picked up his first Top 5 win when he ousted the top seed, 6-4, 7-6 (6), to reach his first ATP semifinal.

"It's just been an incredible week. From the beginning, I played very well and I knew I could play with the big players,” Mensik said Thursday. “It's an amazing feeling to reach the semifinals after beating those good players. I feel really awesome.”

The Next Gen Accelerator Programme rewards players aged 20 and under ranked inside the Top 250 by granting one main draw wild card into an ATP 250 tournament during.a season. The 18-year-old, who is now projected to make his Top 100 debut next week, selected Doha for more than one reason.

“Cause I received a free iPhone,” he said to laughter after defeating Rublev.

“I didn’t have that opportunity sooner, so for me, this was the first option to play this tournament. Last week, it was also a good tournament in Bahrain." (a Challenger event where he advanced to the semifinals)

Mensik will battle another former title holder Friday when he meets Gael Monfils. The Frenchman eliminated third-seeded compatriot Ugo Humbert, 6-2, 6-4.