Zverev stages thrilling comeback with gritty victory over Davidovich Fokina to reach China Open Quarterfinals
ATPSaturday, 30 September 2023 at 20:41
Alexander
Zverev made a comeback in a tough match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina,
winning 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-1, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the China Open.
The German
arrived in good form after his recent performances, reaching the semifinals of
the Cincinnati Open and the quarterfinals of the US Open, in addition to
winning the title in Chengdu the previous week. This translates to 13 victories
in his last 15 matches, with his only losses coming against world No. 1 and
world No. 2, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
With confidence
from his 24th career title win the previous week and a successful debut against
Diego Schwartzman in Shanghai, Zverev faced a tough opponent in Alejandro
Davidovich Fokina (25th). Zverev had a 3-1 record in his favor against
Davidovich Fokina, but their most recent encounter resulted in a victory for
the Spanish player at the Toronto Open less than two months ago.
During the
first set, neither player could hold their serves with ease. Zverev had an 89%
first serve percentage but only won 49% of those points, while Davidovich
Fokina had a 62% first serve percentage but won 58% of those points. The
inconsistency in their serving allowed Davidovich Fokina to break Zverev's
serve on three occasions, but Zverev quickly responded in the following game.
Despite six
breaks of serve, neither player could establish a clear advantage, leading to a
tie-break. In a similar fashion to the rest of the set, Davidovich Fokina won
the tie-break 7-4 after 78 minutes.
The second
set saw a complete change in the match as Zverev found his rhythm with his
serve. He didn't face any break points against him and secured two breaks in
his favor to win the set 6-2.
Although
Zverev's first serve percentage dropped to 65%, Davidovich Fokina could only
win 29% of the points when returning Zverev's first serve and 33% on the second
serve, significantly lower than Zverev's 44% and 40%, respectively.
In the
third set, Zverev continued to dominate, leaving behind the inconsistencies of
the first set. Finally, the former world No. 2 proved superior to Davidovich
Fokina, who struggled with precision towards the end of the match.
Clearly
disappointed with his level, Davidovich Fokina couldn't do much against Zverev,
and the Spaniard lost the match with a decisive score of 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-1.
In the
quarterfinals, Zverev will face Nicolas Jarry (23rd), who defeated the fourth
seed Stefanos Tsitsipas (6th) in the first round and then overcame the
22-year-old Matteo Arnaldi (48th).
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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