Qatar ExxonMobil Open; Karen Khachanov defeated Next Gen ATP star Mensik to finalise his sixth Tour level win

At the 2024 Qatar ExxonMobil Open, Karen Khachanov put a stop to Jakub Mensik's incredible run yesterday in an exciting final to win the coveted Golden Falcon trophy. The Russian won his sixth Tour level match and his first championship of the season, defeating Next Gen ATP standout Mensik 7-6(12), 6-4, in an exciting one-hour and forty-nine-minute duel at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.

In the opening set, Khachanov saved four set points. Then, at 12/13, he intervened on the Czech prodigy's second serve and used a powerful forehand return to take a one-set lead on his fourth set point. After an easier second set, Khachanov closed out a remarkable run at the Doha event, winning all four sets in straight sets.

In addition to moving him up two ranks to No. 15 in the ATP Live Rankings, Khachanov's triumph increased his career earnings thanks to a substantial $212,300 prize money payment. Even though he lost in the end, Mensik left his mark on the ATP Tour with an amazing run that saw him overcome three past winners—Andrey Rublev, Andy Murray, and Gael Monfils—and defeat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on route to his first-ever tour-level final. 

Mensik, who was ranked 116th when he came in Doha, has risen an astounding 29 ranks in just one week, to rank 87th.