Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

[robpal]

ATP Estoril SF:

125 Peter Polansky 448
126 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 428
127 Jewgienij Donskoj 427

[COA]

[COA]

On the other half of the draw, #NextGenATP Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina continued his stunning run in Portugal with a 6-7(2), 7-5, 6-4 win against third seed Gael Monfils. The 19-year-old, who won the 2017 Wimbledon Boys' Singles title, entered this tournament without a tour-level win. But he has impressed with wins over 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals qualifier Taylor Fritz, World No. 42 Jeremy Chardy and now Monfils.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/tsitsip ... 019-friday

[Damian]

[Lucas]

Davidovich Fokina: 'The Drop Shot Is Part Of Me’

Spoiler:

Spaniard is into his first ATP Tour semi-final

With fans in the stands of the Estadio Millennium roaring around him, 19-year-old Alejandro Davidovich Fokina fell to his knees on the Portuguese clay and lowered his head to the red dirt in disbelief. The #NextGenATP Spaniard had just advanced to the semi-finals of the Millennium Estoril Open after third seed Gael Monfils hit a forehand into the net.

Davidovich Fokina arrived in Estoril without a tour-level win. But after defeating three players inside the Top 60 of the ATP Rankings in the main draw, the qualifier is into his first ATP Tour semi-finals.

“It’s amazing to win against a legend like Monfils and in a tough match like that,” Davidovich Fokina told ATPTour.com after his two-hour, 15-minute victory. “It’s amazing for me.”

Before the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech last month, Davidovich Fokina had never played an ATP Tour match. While he qualified there and pushed German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber in a tight two-setter, he never expected this.

“Never. To beat a legend like Monfils, I never expected that,” Davidovich Fokina said. “I feel so good. I’m so glad to get to play tomorrow.”

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It wasn’t just that he defeated the Frenchman, but how he did it. Davidovich Fokina, at a career-best 167th in the ATP Rankings, matched Monfils’ entertaining play with his own, consistently using his drop shot to great effect against the speedy third seed, and showing no fear by diving for volleys at the net multiple times.

Despite being in the middle of a tight match, Monfils rushed to Davidovich Fokina’s side of the court after one of the Spaniard’s dives to make sure he was okay. Although Monfils lost, he met the teen with a big smile and friendly handshake.

“He told me ‘Good luck with the rest of the tournament and see you in Madrid’,” Davidovich Fokina remembered. “It’s amazing and to beat him is incredible. The way he was nice to me when I fell down, he asked me if I was okay, he’s a nice guy. A very nice guy.”

The Monfils win is his biggest yet. Not only did Davidovich Fokina show grit in the second set, saving a break point that would have allowed Monfils to serve for the match, but he gave fans a preview of what should be an entertaining game to watch for years to come.

“He’s everywhere,” Davidovich Fokina said of Monfils. “I had to play smart against him and the drop shot is my best shot and I had to use it a lot against him.

“Always,” the teenager said of how often he favours his drop shot. “ when I was three years old. It’s a part of me.”

Davidovich began playing tennis at three with his father, a half-Swede, half-Russian boxer. His mother is Russian. While the #NextGenATP player is Spanish, he believes his game is most like Serbian Novak Djokovic’s. Two years ago, he won the Wimbledon Boys’ Singles Championship. Was that title bigger for him than his run in Portugal?

“Tough question, but this week [is better],” Davidovich Fokina said. “I’ve played against better players than me, legends like Monfils. To beat them is amazing.”

Davidovich Fokina’s performance has propelled him into contention in the ATP Race To Milan. On Monday, he will climb to at least 10th place as he seeks his first appearance at the Next Gen ATP Finals.

“I want to go this year. I want to be there for sure,” Davidovich Fokina said. “That and break into the Top 100.”

But for now, he is solely focusing on competing in Estoril. Davidovich will face Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas for a spot in his first ATP Tour final.

“I’m just focused on playing the next match. I’m not focusing on being in the semi-finals or anything like that,” he said. “I’m focusing on every match, every point and I’m ready to play tomorrow.

“I can compete here now with every player that is in front of me. I’m ready for the next one.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/davidov ... 19-feature

[Rroggerr]

Fajnie pogrywa ten Foka. Ale czy pójdą za tym występem regularne wyniki w tym roku, to mam jednak wątpliwości.

[Mario]

Fajny grajek z tego Hiszpana, ale jak zrobi karierę w stylu, nie przymierzając, Paire'a, to zdziwiony nie będę.

[Barty]

[Damian]

[Damian]

[Damian]

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the Unconventional Spaniard

Spoiler:

Among the eight quarterfinalists at the Millenium Estoril Open, two qualifiers may be unkown to the casual ATP fans. It is not the first, but it is also likely not the last time Joao Domingues performs at home well above his year-round level. Since 2017, the Portuguese is 7-2 against foes ranked waaaaaay higher than him, boasting wins over the likes of Kyle Edmund or Alex de Miñaur. It’s worth noting than one of Domingues’ two losses came in a 57 63 75 thriller versus two-time Slam finalist Kevin Anderson. Stefanos Tsitsipas better beware: Thanos Domingues is no slouch. However, it’s the other surprising quarterfinalist who’s likely to go on many more deep runs throughout his career. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is here to stay.

The 19-year-old earned headlines after lifting the 2017 Wimbledon Boys’ trophy. Son of a Russian mom and a Swedish dad, Davidovich’s game vastly differs from the stereotypical Spanish style. In an interview he conceded to Punto de Break, he claimed to have made over 90 drop shots back in a 14 & under event. Besides, he has deployed the underarm serve several times.

In the same conversation, Davidovich affirmed he intends not only to take the tour by storm but also to be a regular of the highlight compilations. He is a proud admirer of unconventional players such as Nick Kyrgios, Fabio Fognini or Alexandr Dolgopolov.
“I played Nishikori and Djokovic. He’s hitting the ball like them.”

Nevertheless, the kid can rip it from the baseline. No wonder Taylor Fritz compared his average rally ball to Novak Djokovic’s or Kei Nishikori’s during their match in Estoril, according to journalist Jose Morgado. Davidovich admitted on several occasions he models his game after the current world No. 1 but he won’t stop unleashing his “internal craziness” anytime soon. He is a firm believer than being somewhat messy and unpredictable gives him an edge on key points.

The Spanish prospect, under the tutelage of coach Jorge Aguirre and his personal psychologist, has made huge strides in keeping his once terrific outbursts in check lately. Consequently, his results have improved. He entered the Australian Open ranked No. 241 and, in a matter of four months, the Malaga native has jumped almost 100 spots. Prior to his Estoril quarterfinal matchup against Gael Monfils, his live ranking stands at No. 146.

Davidovich’s resiliency has been remarkable this campaign so far. Only three of his nine losses came in straight sets. Two of them arrived at the hands of tour regulars Phillip Kohlschreiber (76 75) and Albert Ramos (75 75). In those two matches, he squandered 12 and 10 break points, respectively. He always manufactures a way to remain in a match, making it hardly impossible to blow him off the court.

Back in December, Davidovich issued a warning by winning the Master Futuro Nacional, an unofficial U-23 Spanish Championship held at Rafa Nadal Academy. 15-year-old phenom Carlos Alcaraz, current No. 55 Jaume Munar, and No. 245 Bernabe Zapata all received a severe defeat in consecutive days. Maybe Davidovich wasn’t a year or two away from making real noise on tour, was he?

https://lastwordontennis.com/2019/05/03 ... -spaniard/

[Damian]

06.05.2019

Najwyższy ranking w karierze: 127

[Barty]

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina takes Madrid wild card for Masters 1000 debut

Spoiler:

Born to the Russian mother and Swedish father, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is not the usual Spanish player by any means. The 19-year-old who works under Jorge Aguirre is a former junior no. 2 and 2017 Wimbledon champion (the first one from Spain since 1967), winning more big titles and battling against Nicola Kuhn, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexei Popyrin, Miomir Kecmanovic, Felix Auger-Aliassime and others.

Alejandro lost two Futures finals just before that historic Wimbledon run and claimed the first pro title in March last year, advancing into the first Challenger final in September in Szczecin, ranked 400th! Due to an injury, the youngster made a slow start of 2019 season, finding the right form in February when he reached the final of Bangkok Challenger, building the momentum for the clay season.

After the semi-final run in Marbella Challenger, Alejandro qualified for the main draw in Marrakech to make an ATP debut, losing in two tight sets to Philipp Kohlschreiber after almost two hours. After failing to earn the main draw in Barcelona, Davidovich Fokina got the second chance in Estoril as a lucky loser, using it with both hands to grab wins over Taylor Fritz and Jeremy Chardy (losing only three games) to book the place in the first ATP quarter-final.

Before the clash against Gael Monfils, Alejandro learned more good news from home, receiving the main draw wild card for Madrid Open after the withdrawal of Tomas Berdych. Thus, instead of hitting another qualifying draw, Alejandro will have the opportunity to make Masters 1000 debut in front of the home fans and extend his good run from Portugal.

Equipped with unorthodox shots and not fitting in the regular Spanish baseline mold, Davidovich Fokina should be a tough rival for all the players in the draw, eager to show his best tennis at the biggest tennis event in Spain.

https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/n ... 000-debut/

[Alan]

Bardzo solidne ma ostatnie tygodnie Alejandro.

[Żilu]

RG19 - pierwszy turniej WS, gdzie Alejandro jest rozstawiony w kwalifikacjach (17).

[Alan]

[Barty]

Alejandro wygrał swój pierwszy mecz w kwalifikacjach RG19. Jest to jego 3. turniej WS, w którym wygrał pierwszy mecz eliminacyjny.

Australian Open Q2 (2019)
Roland Garros Q2 (2019)
Wimbledon Q2 (2018)

[Żilu]

RG19: udany początek kwalifikacji.

[17] Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) d. Jay Clarke (GBR) 2-6 7-6(5) 6-1

[Razing]

#NextGenATP Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina continued his strong form with a 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-1 win against Brit Jay Clarke. Davidovich Fokina qualified at the Millennium Estoril Open and advanced to the semi-finals, ultimately falling in three sets against Pablo Cuevas.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/brown-m ... ing-monday

[Żilu]

RG19: finałowa runda kwalifikacji do WS po raz 1.

[17] Alejandro Davidovich Fokina d. Joao Domingues 6-2 7-5