“I don’t know if this is my best version”: Davidovich Fokina downplays form after big win against Rublev

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is enjoying one of the best moments of his career after securing another big win at the Barcelona Open. The Spaniard defeated World No. 8 Andrey Rublev (7-5, 6-4), marking his 10th career victory over a top-10 player—three of those coming in the past two months alone.

The 25-year-old had been battling injuries that saw him fall outside the Top 60 earlier in 2024. But now, he’s back in the Top 30 and looking closer than ever to claiming his maiden ATP title. He already reached two finals this year—at the Delray Beach Open and the Mexican Open—but came up short in both.

Just a week ago, he made a strong run to the semifinals at the Monte Carlo Masters, defeating the likes of Ben Shelton and Jack Draper before falling to fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who went on to lift the trophy.

Davidovich has displayed great consistency so far this season and currently sits at No. 8 in the ATP Race: “I don’t know if this is my best version, since the year has just begun,” Davidovich said in his press conference. “But I do know I’m playing at a high competitive level. I’m happy, enjoying myself on court—that’s the most important thing for me, and it’s what makes me more dangerous.”

He opened his campaign in Barcelona with an emphatic win over Stan Wawrinka in the first round, and against Rublev, he got his long-awaited revenge, having lost all five of their previous encounters. “Losing five times to Andrey was more of a mental pain than a tennis one, so I’m pleased with how I handled the match strategically.”

“I knew he was going to fight regardless of the score, so my only option was to match that. I also knew he hasn’t been in top form recently, so I had to capitalise on the key moments. I’m really happy with how it turned out.”

In the quarterfinals, Davidovich will take on another Russian: Karen Khachanov, who defeated Cam Norrie and Jaume Munar on his way.