Shanghai Masters Semi-Finals Round-up | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Rafael Jodar stun Zverev and Medvedev to set up all-Spanish final clash

It is an all-Spanish final at the Shanghai Masters, but none of them go by the name of Carlos Alcaraz. Rafael Jodar and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina pulled off scintillating performances and victories against two of the best players in the world and will return tomorrow to battle out for the biggest titles of their careers.

The semi-final action began with a stunning upset. The No.1 seed, Alexander Zverev, still has not clinched a Masters 1000 title since the 2024 Paris Masters. That wait prolongs as well does a first triumph in Shanghai following Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s incredible comeback. He prevailed 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.

It seemed almost impossible for the Spaniard to create any pathway into the match. Zverev’s serve was a sight to behold and was the pivotal reason in his deep run in this tournament. Not many players were able to cope with it, and that showed in the first set. An early break point was squandered by Zverev, but he made up for it right at the end, winning 12 of the last 14 points to wrap up the first set.

It seemed that he would kick on from there to another final, but Davidovich Fokina had other ideas. After missing two break points, he found the ultimate breakthrough in the 10th game of the second set. A single set point was created, and a brilliant backhand down the line got him on level terms.

From that point onwards, the momentum in the tennis match shifted. Zverev was under the cosh and soon found himself 3-0 down. His level had notably declined, but Davidovich Fokina was moving up the gears.

He produced three consecutive hold to love service games to move 5-2 to the good. Two match points were saved by the two-time Grand Slam champion. All he could do was force his rampant opponent to see it out on his own terms. That is exactly what he did. With a third match point, Davidovich Fokina confirmed a second Masters 1000 final, a first since the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters. At the start of the grass swing, the 27-year-old was still searching for his maiden ATP title. He is now just one win away from sealing a third, and by far the biggest of his career.

It is an all-Spanish final with Rafael Jodar producing a dazzling display to see off the 2019 champion Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-4 to reach a first ever Masters 1000 final, with Medvedev again falling at the semi-final stage.

Jodar had won all his matches on his Shanghai debut from a set down, showing real grit and determination to battle back into matches. This time around, he was the one in command.

The first game took 10 minutes, but Jodar finally got the hold on the board with Medvedev not even creating a break point. Two routine holds of serve later, Jodar got that break lead and looked to kick on.

His progress was halted by Medvedev who got back level, but only briefly. The 20-year-old found more joy against the serve and this time managed to back it up with a hold to lead 5-2 but was forced to save a break point. Five set points later, he was one set away from reaching a maiden Masters 1000 final in his second semi-final.

His chances got a whole lot better. After a medical timeout, he came back onto the court to break the serve from the off. The former US Open champion did well to get back into the match, breaking back to lead 3-2. However, Jodar powered ahead once more.

A break to love was sandwiched in between two very commanding holds. He led 5-3 and was on the brink of winning the biggest match of his life. Three match points were created, but Medvedev delayed what seemed like the inevitable. He produced a timely hold to love and will challenge for a second ATP title on Sunday.