Alejandro Davidovich Fokina makes first Masters final after entertaining battle

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina sealed a first ATP 1000 final with a 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 victory over Grigor Dimitrov at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Davidovich Fokina gained an early edge as he picked up the first break point of the match after just nine minutes.
The Spaniard held firm for the rest of the first set and gave Dimitrov plenty of trouble on serve on the way to 6-4 first set win.
It’s a Foki party in Monte-Carlo 🥳@alexdavidovich1 #RolexMCMasters pic.twitter.com/W5nGF5sruP
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 16, 2022
Dimitrov responded with a strong start to the second set going 2-0 up, but Davidovich Fokina would claw the break back before taking the initiative and serving for the match at 5-4.
Davidovich Fokina couldn’t close out the set as Dimitrov broke back.
The Bulgarian then dominated the second set tiebreaker as it seemed the young Spaniard’s nerves got the best of him.
Dimitrov gained an early break again in the third, but an epic Davidovich Fokina service game would prove a turning point.
After 13 minutes, Davidovich Fokina held serve to avoid going down by a double break in the third set.
Foki is a FINALIST in Monte-Carlo! 🌟@alexdavidovich1 sees off a third Masters 1000 champion this week in Dimitrov to reach the 2022 #RolexMCMasters final! pic.twitter.com/tvKxAeKELX
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 16, 2022
Davidovich Fokina needed to save four break points, even deploying one of his infamous underhand serves on one exchange before eventually holding to make it 2-1.
The 22-year-old fired in his groundstrokes with consistent and impressive depth, successfully targeting Dimitrov’s backhand. He rallied from a break down in the third set to triumph after two hours and 42 minutes.
He reeled off four game wins in succession to take a 5-2 lead in the third.
When he found himself serving for the match again in the third, Davidovich Fokina combated his nerves by getting the crowd into it.
A fired up Davidovich Fokina played an excellent service game and eventually won the match with an ace.
Davidovich Fokina had already defeated World No 1 Novak Djokovic and added the scalps of Taylor Fritz, Marcos Giron, David Goffin on his way to the last four.
He will face either second seed Alexander Zverev or reigning champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday’s final.
Latest
-
Grand Slam
Jimmy Connors delivers trademark tribute to Novak Djokovic
Jimmy Connors delivers a glowing tribute to Novak Djokovic.
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic on course to break rankings record in February
Novak Djokovic moves one step closer to immortality.
-
WTA Tour
WTA Rankings: Alycia Parks on the brink of top 50, Lin Zhu achieves season goal
It was a landmark week for Alycia Parks and Lin Zhu.
-
Tennis News
The Davis Cup Finals group stage set after qualifiers
The Davis Cup finals are taking shape.
-
WTA Tour
Alycia Parks instantly fell in love with tennis as a seven year old
Alycia Parks took up tennis by complete chance.
-
Tennis News
Stefanos Tsitsipas sees opportunity to improve in Netflix series
Stefanos Tsitsipas likes to do things differently.
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas reignite feud after ‘clown’ comment
Tsitsipas made comments about Aussie maverick Kyrgios as he spoke to the media while playing for Greece in the Davis Cup.
-
WTA Tour
Alycia Parks pulls off biggest career win in stunning Lyon final upset
Alycia Parks wrapped up her breakthrough week on the WTA Tour with her first top five victory.
-
Tennis News
Who is Cameron Norrie’s girlfriend, Louise Jacobi?
Louise Jacobi has been involved with Cameron Norrie since 2019.
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic is prepared to put his body on the line to be the GOAT
Should Novak Djokovic be considered the favourite at Roland Garros or is that blasphemy while Rafa lives and breathes?