Alejandro Davidovich Fokina upset top seed Alexander Zverev to reach the Shanghai Masters final. He won in three sets after a strong performance.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina achieved a major upset at the Shanghai Masters. He defeated top seed Alexander Zverev in three sets. The match ended with scores of 5-7, 6-4, and 6-3.
Also, this win earns the Spaniard a spot in the tournament final. He now waits to face either Daniil Medvedev or Rafael Jodar. This victory marks a career highlight for the 25th seed.
Next, Davidovich Fokina displayed impressive power throughout the two-hour contest. He hit 36 winners to overwhelm his opponent. This victory is only his second win against Zverev in eight tries.
Then, the momentum shifted during the second set. Davidovich Fokina used a brilliant backhand passing shot to break his opponent. This play energized the crowd and forced a deciding third set.
After that, the winner maintained his strong level of play. He broke Zverev early to take a 2-0 lead in the final set. He never lost control of the match from that point forward.
Meanwhile, the winner served exceptionally well during the match. He landed 82 percent of his first serves. He also attacked Zverev’s forehand side to secure the win.
However, Alexander Zverev admitted that fatigue affected his performance. He mentioned carrying a lingering injury into the tournament. The 29-year-old plans to rest before his next event in Vienna.
Still, Zverev had a very successful season this year. He won titles at the French Open and the US Open. He also secured the year-end world number one ranking.
Finally, Davidovich Fokina continues his hot streak in China. He has now won nine matches in a row. He recently won a title in Chengdu last month.
As a result, Davidovich Fokina reaches his second ATP Masters 1000 final. He previously finished as the runner-up in Monte Carlo in 2022. He remains focused on playing and enjoying the moment.