Daijiworld Media Network - Shanghai
Shanghai, Oct 17: Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina stunned World No. 2 Alexander Zverev in the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters, registering one of the biggest victories of his career to reach his second ATP Masters 1000 final.
The World No. 26 defeated the German 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in a closely contested encounter lasting two hours and six minutes at Stadium Court. It was only the second time Davidovich Fokina had beaten Zverev in his career.
After losing a hard-fought opening set, the Spaniard raised his level in the baseline exchanges and broke Zverev in the 10th game of the second set to level the match, taking the set in 46 minutes.
A double fault by Zverev early in the deciding set gave Davidovich Fokina further momentum. The Spaniard capitalised on the opportunity, maintained his composure and held his serve to seal the set and secure his place in the final.
“It doesn't matter the result; I am just thinking about every ball,” Davidovich Fokina said in his on-court interview, as quoted by the ATP Tour.
“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. Then in the third set, I think I was better physically. The early break in the third set gave me a lot of power. I focused on just playing, not caring about the result but enjoying it,” he added.
Davidovich Fokina had two match points while leading 5-2 in the deciding set on Zverev’s serve, but the German fought back to win another game. The Spaniard, however, held his serve in the following game to close out the match.
Reflecting on his journey, Davidovich Fokina said the time away from competition had given him an opportunity to think about his future.
“At the end, it is not easy when you are out; you have a lot of time to think. We are very privileged to be here and play this sport. This time gave me a lot of time to think about what I want to do with my future,” he said.
Davidovich Fokina will face either Rafael Jodar or Daniil Medvedev in the final.