Alejandro Davidovich Fokina ended Rafael Jodar's dream run at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, battling back to beat his fellow Spaniard 1-6 7-6(5) 6-4 and thereby securing his third title of the year and biggest yet of his career.
Davidovich Fokina, seeded 25th, found himself a set down after being blitzed by Jodar, and fended off five break points in the second set, but composed to launch a recovery in two hours and 28 minutes to emerge victorious.
The 27-year-old had overcome the scalp of top seed Alexander Zverev to reach the final, having also upset world number 10 Frances Tiafoe en route to his second showpiece match at this level.
He clutched the Shanghai trophy tightly and then kissed it.
“I don't have any words right now,” Davidovich Fokina said. “I have a blank mind. I don't know what to say and I don't know how I feel. Just a huge relief.”
After victories in Mallorca and Chengdu, Shanghai becomes Davidovich Fokina’s third title this season, and he is is set to climb 13 places to a career-high world number 13 when the rankings are released on Monday.
(With inputs from AP via PTI & Reuters)
