Davidovich overcomes the battle with Jódar, is the historic new champion of Shanghai with a ‘great match’ against Federer and Safin
He is a warrior. Saved match point against the American Frances Tiafoe, survived the marathons with the Polish Hubert Hurkacz and the german Alexander Zverev and fought back against his compatriot Rafa Jodar20 years old and world No. 13, whom he subdued after suffering a beating for half an hour.
So much faith, not exempt from its intrinsic quality and power, led to Alexander Davidovich Fokina27 years old and number 26, to a new dimension. A physical marvel that ended up defeating Jódar in that regard, who was treated for his right thigh during the third set, who also fought with the shadow of cramps. The Andalusian won by 1-6, 7-6 (5) and 6-4 in 2h.26′.
An exhibition of resilience by ‘Foki’, with the Swiss Roger Federer and the Russian Marat Safin of exceptional witnesses. The Malaga native lost his first five finals on the circuit, confirming his maturity by winning the three played this year. He opened his record on the grass at the ATP 250 in Mallorca, after a two-month break due to a back injury he returned for the Asian tour, triumphing at the ATP 250 in Chengdu. And, one more step, a Masters 1000 on his record.
The failed experience of Monte Carlo 2022. “I am another player, my life has changed. I am calmer. I want to enjoy tennis, I want to play, regardless of whether it is a first round or a final,” he said. Many extreme experiences accumulated, since June also with the help of the calm and expert coach José ‘Pepo’ Clavet.
Davidovich lived a nightmare until the sixth game of the second set, when he recovered the break from a disadvantage, with a backhand pass, falling to the ground after reaching a drop shot. He put Jódar, who saw victory and a debut in the top-10 within reach, in a very physical battle of attrition.
The man from Malaga survived Jódar’s recital, he led him to his field. A direct face-to-face, with ‘Foki’ having the advantage of his greater resistance. He is more done in endurance racing. The serve gave extra life to Davidovich, who lost the first three breaking balls, saving 5 of 6 in the second set. From less to more, he delivered the coup de grace, winning an even tiebreak, resolved with a single loss of serve, by Jódar, who opened the set point that ‘Foki’ finished off with a direct serve.
Davidovich passes another interesting stage in a trajectory that points higher. Since junior, when he was champion of Wimbledonaim high. Consistency was lacking, believe. And the passing of the years helps. He lifted his third trophy, took a heel for 1,151,380 dollars, one million euros.
In essence, the Davis Cup. Despite the defeat, the man from Madrid is called to be the number 2 of the national team for the singles, along with Carlos Alcaraz. The man from Malaga has a more difficult time entering, although there is a fifth place to be designated by the captain, David Ferrer. And he’s raising his hand with results.
Rafa Jodar glimpsed the crown, entry into the top-10 (eleventh), the ticket to the ATP Finals. He snatched it away Alexander Davidovich, which rises from 26th to 13th, the best of his career. In the Race, the man from Madrid is 9th and the man from Malaga is 16th.
Davidovich achieved what eluded him in the final Rafa Nadal (2009 and 2017), David Ferrer (2011) and Roberto Bautista (2016). Spanish tennis already has a champion in the nine Masters 1000 ATP tournaments, a category that was born in 1990.
