With an ice pack on his head, Mensik was then wheeled to the players’ area, where he gingerly got to his feet and was just about able to walk down the stairs again, albeit with the help of the rail next to the staircase.
The moment it became too much was clear. As Mensik served, his thigh cramped up, but he managed to leap and fire a forehand winner to secure his place in the third round.
The mercury had crept up to the mid-30s as the heat has already had an impact at the French Open, with ball boys and girls having to leave the court before their allotted breaks, and players standing in the shade while waiting for the server at the other end to set themselves.
The stands in the glare of the sun have been emptier than the shaded sides on all courts as spectators tried to protect themselves from the heat, which has been relentless since the start of the tournament on Sunday.
