Brief
Davidovich Fokina defeats Zverev to book Shanghai Masters final
The 26th‑ranked Spaniard rallied from a set down to overcome the German world‑class player in a two‑hour, two‑minute match on Saturday.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, ranked 26th, overcame top seed Alexander Zverev 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday to reach the Shanghai Masters final, Al Jazeera reported.
What happened
The semi‑final lasted two hours and two minutes. After dropping the first set 5-7, Davidovich Fokina fired 36 winners and broke Zverev early in the second set to take it 6-4. In the deciding set he broke for a 2-0 lead, held serve and closed out 6-3, securing his second ATP Masters 1000 final appearance.
What the reports add
The article notes that this was only Davidovich Fokina's second victory over Zverev in eight meetings, the first coming at the 2023 Canadian Open round of 32. It also records his 82 % first‑serve success and his nine‑match winning streak in China after winning the ATP 250 title in Chengdu the previous month.
What was said
“I knew that if I stayed there all match, I could get at least one chance and I took it there in the second set,” Davidovich Fokina said.
“Then in the third set, I think I was better physically… I focused on just playing, not mattering about the result but enjoying,” he added.
Zverev, 29, said fatigue had caught up with him and that he would monitor his fitness before the Vienna tournament starting October 24.
How it came about
Davidovich Fokina missed the North American hard‑court swing in August due to injury, then won nine straight matches in China, including the ATP 250 Chengdu title. Zverev entered Shanghai as a seven‑time Masters 1000 champion, having last reached the final there in 2019.
Key facts
- Davidovich Fokina beat Alexander Zverev 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to reach the Shanghai Masters final. (aljazeera.com)
- The match lasted two hours and two minutes. (aljazeera.com)
- Davidovich Fokina landed 82% of his first serves and hit 36 winners. (aljazeera.com)
- Zverev said fatigue affected his play and he will assess fitness before the Vienna tournament on Oct 24. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Davidovich Fokina stuns top seed Zverev to reach Shanghai Masters final”
