Defending Mallorca champion Chris Eubanks eliminated in first round by Jakub Mensik

It was 12 months ago when Chris Eubanks stepped into the winners’ circle on the ATP Tour for the first time with his flashy run at the Mallorca Championships.

On Tuesday, Eubanks was tripped up by the first hurdle of his title defense.

Playing just his second tour-level match on grass, Jakub Mensik knocked out the No. 8 seed, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. The 18-year-old out-served the American with 12 aces (versus nine) and a 64 percent success rate on his second serve (versus 50) to advance after 90 minutes.

Mensik is now 11-7 this season at the tour level.

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Afterwards during an on-court interview, Mensik was asked to describe his game after becoming the youngest match winner in tournament history.

“My serve is the biggest weapon, also a powerful forehand and backhand. Yeah, an aggressive baseliner,” he said.

Earlier this season, Mensik contested his first ATP title match in Doha and has picked up a pair of Top 10 wins in cementing his place inside the Top 100. But injury woes denied him the opportunity to make his French Open debut.

"Obviously after difficult weeks, suffering with the injury, I'm happy to compete again,” the Czech said. “Back on grass with a 'W.' I'm happy and I will be pushing more for the next round."

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Fabio Fognini awaits in the second round.

As for Eubanks, he is projected to fall outside of the Top 60 next week. It won’t get any easier for the Paris 2024 Olympian with quarterfinal points to defend at Wimbledon.

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Michelsen is through to his third ATP quarterfinal of the season (lost prior two).

Alex Michelsen, who was edged out 7-5 in the third by Eubanks here last year in the opening round, punched his ticket to the quarterfinals. The 19-year-old eliminated 2023 finalist Adrian Mannarino, the No. 3 seed, after locking up a 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory.

Michelsen is no stranger to the grass, having finished runner-up in Newport last July to Mannarino in just his second tour-level appearance. The world No. 62 arrived having qualified at the 500-level event in Halle, where he was defeated by Matteo Berrettini.

Paul Jubb and Adam Walton won their main-draw openers after coming through qualifying.

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