Davidovich Fokina Beats Jodar in Three Sets to Win His First Masters 1000 Title in Shanghai

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina beat Rafael Jodar 1-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the Shanghai Masters final on Sunday to win the first Masters 1000 title of his career, Reuters reported. The 27-year-old Spaniard, seeded 25th, was a set and a break down against his younger countryman before he turned the match around and closed it out in two hours and 27 minutes.

It was the second Masters 1000 final of his career. He lost the first, on clay at Monte Carlo in 2022. This one is the biggest title he has won, and the third ATP title of his career, the Associated Press reported.

A final that turned around

For half an hour, the final looked like it belonged to Jodar. The 20-year-old, seeded 12th, broke for 2-0 and again for 5-1, then served out the first set with an ace after 27 minutes, Flashscore reported. Jodar is the youngest finalist in Shanghai Masters history, and he was playing his first Masters 1000 final.

He broke again for a 3-2 lead in the second set. Davidovich Fokina broke straight back in the next game, falling on his back to save a point at the net on his way to levelling at 3-3, Flashscore reported. Reuters reported that he saved break points in three successive service games before he edged the tiebreak 7-5 to force a deciding set.

The third set went his way. He broke Jodar twice, Reuters reported, and sealed the title on his serve. "I do not know what to say. I do not know what I feel. Just like a huge relief," he said, according to Flashscore.

The road through Shanghai

Both finalists arrived the hard way. In the semi-finals on Saturday, Jodar beat Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-4, while Davidovich Fokina upset top seed Alexander Zverev 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, the Associated Press reported. Earlier in the week, Davidovich Fokina saved a match point against Frances Tiafoe, came back from a set down against Hubert Hurkacz, and went through to the semi-finals when Arthur Gea retired while trailing 4-1, Tennis Majors reported.

Jodar had won in Marrakech in April for his first career title, the Associated Press reported, and his run in Shanghai included a win over Medvedev, the 2019 champion. He ran out of energy late in the final after a draining week, and his error count rose in the third set.

What the title means

Davidovich Fokina is the first Spanish champion in Shanghai, where Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer and Roberto Bautista Agut had all lost in the final before him, Tennis Majors reported. He is the 16th different Spaniard to win a Masters 1000 title. Reuters reported that he is set to return to the top 20 when the rankings come out on Monday. His career high is 14th, reached in November last year.

For Jodar, the loss ends a dream week, but a first Masters 1000 final at 20 still marks him out as one of the fastest rising players on the tour.