Davidovich Fokina fights back from a set down to beat Jodar and win the Shanghai Masters
The Spaniard trailed 1-6, 2-3 in an all-Spanish final before claiming his first Masters 1000 crown, the biggest title of his career.
At a glance
- Alejandro Davidovich Fokina beat Rafael Jodar 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in the Shanghai Masters final on October 18.
- It is his first ATP Masters 1000 title and the biggest of his career, after losing his first five tour-level finals.
- He beat top seed Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals; Jodar beat former champion Daniil Medvedev.
- Davidovich Fokina had only returned in late September after two months out with a back injury.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is a Masters 1000 champion at last. The Spaniard came from a set and a break down to beat his compatriot Rafael Jodar 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in the final of the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Sunday, October 18, after 2 hours and 28 minutes.
A comeback from the brink
Jodar dominated the opening set, breaking early and not facing a single break point on his own serve as he took it 6-1. When he led 3-2 in the second, the title looked to be slipping away from Davidovich Fokina.
Instead, Davidovich Fokina reeled off four straight games and then held his nerve in the tie-break to force a decider. The players traded early breaks in the third set before Davidovich Fokina broke again in the fifth game and served it out.
"I don't have any words right now," he said afterwards, describing a mix of blankness and relief.
Ending the finals jinx
It is the biggest title of Davidovich Fokina's career and his third on the ATP Tour. Remarkably, he lost his first five tour-level finals, including the Monte-Carlo Masters final in 2022. He has now won his last three, after titles in Mallorca and Chengdu earlier this year, and is on a 10-match winning streak in China.
His run in Shanghai was full of escapes: he saved a match point against Frances Tiafoe in the third round and came from a set down to beat Hubert Hurkacz and then top seed Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals.
It is all the more impressive given he returned in late September after two months out with a back injury.
Jodar's breakthrough week
For Jodar, the 12th seed, it was still a breakthrough tournament. He knocked out former champion Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals and showed on the biggest stage that he can compete with the tour's best.
Questions people are asking
Who won the Shanghai Masters 2026?
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain, who beat compatriot Rafael Jodar 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 in the final on October 18, 2026.
Is this Davidovich Fokina's first Masters title?
Yes. It is his first ATP Masters 1000 title and the third ATP Tour title of his career.
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