A second-set recovery changes the all-Spanish final
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina won his first ATP Masters 1000 title on October 18, defeating fellow Spaniard Rafael Jódar 1–6, 7–6 (7–5), 6–4 at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena in Shanghai. The 27-year-old recovered from a set and a break down to complete the victory in two hours and 28 minutes.
Jódar controlled the opening set and moved ahead with another break for 3–2 in the second. Davidovich Fokina immediately broke back, then survived further pressure on his serve before winning the tiebreak to force a deciding set.
Both players dropped serve early in the third. Davidovich Fokina broke again for 3–2, did not face another break point and eventually converted his second championship point. The result made him the first Spanish singles champion at the Shanghai Masters.
The comeback completed a tournament in which Davidovich Fokina repeatedly recovered from difficult positions. He saved a match point against Frances Tiafoe in the third round and overturned first-set deficits against Hubert Hurkacz and Alexander Zverev before reaching the final.
Shanghai was his third tour-level title, following victories in Mallorca and Chengdu earlier this year. After losing his first five ATP Tour finals, he has now won his past three. His Chengdu appearance in late September marked his return from a two-month absence caused by a back injury, making the two titles in China a significant turn in his season.
Jódar, 20, had beaten Daniil Medvedev to reach his first Masters 1000 final. Although he missed the opportunity to win the trophy, the tournament projected that his run would move him to No. 11 in Monday’s rankings, while Davidovich Fokina would climb 13 places to a career-high No. 13.
After the final, Davidovich Fokina credited the support of his team and wife during his injury layoff. He said his immediate plan was to return home and spend a few days with his family before turning his attention back to tennis.