In a gripping display of tennis, 26th-ranked Alejandro Davidovich Fokina staged a major upset at the Shanghai Masters on Saturday, defeating top seed Alexander Zverev in a three-set semifinal clash. The Spaniard rallied from a set down to secure a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory, earning his place in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament. The match, which lasted two hours and two minutes, saw Davidovich Fokina register 36 winners, showcasing his aggressive baseline play throughout the encounter.
The victory marks a significant milestone for the Spaniard, as it is only his second win over Zverev in eight professional meetings. The previous occasion he managed to overcome the German was during the round of 32 at the 2023 Canadian Open. Davidovich Fokina’s performance in Shanghai highlights a resurgence in form, particularly as he has now extended his winning streak in China to nine consecutive matches, having recently claimed an ATP 250 title in Chengdu last month.
After losing the opening set, Davidovich Fokina shifted the momentum in the second set, securing a crucial break that forced a decider. A highlight of the match occurred during a intense baseline exchange, where the 26th-ranked player executed a stunning backhand passing shot on the run, a play that effectively shifted the tide of the match and electrified the Shanghai crowd. Building on this momentum, he secured an early break in the third set, taking a 2-0 lead that he managed to defend for the remainder of the contest.
Following the match, Davidovich Fokina attributed his success to his physical endurance and mental discipline. "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," he remarked. He added that the early break in the final set provided him with the necessary confidence to finish the match, noting that his primary focus was on enjoying the game rather than fixating on the potential result. This achievement marks his second career appearance in an ATP Masters 1000 final, following his runner-up finish in Monte Carlo in 2022.
For Alexander Zverev, the defeat concluded a difficult week in which he struggled with both fatigue and a lingering injury. The 29-year-old acknowledged that he had carried these issues into the tournament and felt the effects of his physical condition during the match against Davidovich Fokina. Zverev, who had previously noted ankle discomfort during the tournament, indicated that a period of rest is necessary before he attempts to return for the upcoming Vienna tournament scheduled for October 24.
Despite the semifinal exit, Zverev’s season remains one of his most successful. He notably ended his Grand Slam drought at the French Open earlier this year and followed it up with a second major title at the US Open. Furthermore, he recently secured the ATP year-end world number one ranking following Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal from the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. Zverev remains a seven-time ATP Masters 1000 champion, though he has yet to add a Shanghai title to his collection.
As for the final, Davidovich Fokina is set to compete against either fifth-seeded Russian Daniil Medvedev or 20-year-old Rafael Jodar. The outcome of the second semifinal will determine the final challenger. For Davidovich Fokina, who missed much of the North American hard-court season in August due to injury, this final represents an opportunity to cap off a remarkable run in Asia with a prestigious trophy.
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