Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, ranked 26th in the world, won his first Masters 1000 title on Sunday, October 18, defeating fellow Spaniard Rafael Jodar, the world No. 13, in a three-set final in Shanghai. The 27-year-old claimed the biggest title of his career with a 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 victory.
Davidovich Fokina had already won his first two ATP titles earlier this year, on grass in Mallorca and on hard courts in Chengdu, but had never lifted a Masters 1000 trophy.
For 20-year-old Jodar, the defeat ended his hopes of breaking into the world’s top 10 for the first time and overtaking three rivals in the race to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin, scheduled for November 15-22.
He remains ninth in the Race, the season-long standings that determine the eight qualifiers for the ATP Finals, behind Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, the United States’ Frances Tiafoe and France’s Arthur Fils, among others.
Jodar, who won his first ATP title at the Marrakech ATP 250 clay-court tournament in April, dominated the opening set and looked on course for his first Masters 1000 crown after breaking Davidovich Fokina to lead 3-2 in the second.
But Davidovich, who had beaten world No. 2 Alexander Zverev in the semifinals, immediately broke back and held his serve for the rest of the set despite facing several break points.
In the tiebreak, the younger Spaniard blinked first, forcing a forehand at 5-5. Davidovich followed with a commanding serve to level the match at one set apiece.
The deciding set opened with both players exchanging breaks. At 2-2, Davidovich broke Jodar again and this time held on to his advantage to seal the victory.
