Alejandro Davidovich Fokina Claims Shanghai Masters Crown After Overcoming Rafael Jodar
I don’t have any words right now. I have a blank mind. I don’t know what to say and I don’t know how I feel. Just a huge relief,
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina said after defeating Rafael Jodar 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 on October 18, 2026, to win the Shanghai Masters. The 27-year-old Spaniard clawed past his 20-year-old countryman inside Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena to secure his first career ATP Masters 1000 trophy in a two-hour, 28-minute final.
The Match Progression and Physical Battle in Shanghai
Rafael Jodar started the final aggressively, breaking serve early and claiming the opening set 6-1 in just 27 minutes. Jodar maintained his momentum into the second set, taking a 3-2 lead before Davidovich Fokina mounted a comeback. Davidovich Fokina leveled the score and ultimately clinched a tight second-set tie-break 7-5 to force a decisive third set.
In the decider, Jodar required a medical timeout for his right thigh while trailing 4-3, and later received treatment for his left thigh at 5-4. Davidovich Fokina converted three of seven break points in the match, utilizing his physical freshness in the third set to seal the victory on his second championship point.
No let up 😤Rafael Jodar breaks Davidovich Fokina in spectacular fashion on his way to taking the opening set of the Shanghai final, 6-1.@SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/DUdPsL0B7F
Rankings Boost and Historic Context for Both Spaniards
Following his title run, Davidovich Fokina will rise 13 spots to a career-high No. 13 in the PIF ATP Rankings, while Jodar climbs two spots to a joint-career-high No. 11. Jodar, who entered the final as the first player born in 2006 or later to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final, leaves China in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, remaining inside the qualification cut for the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals. The final marked the first all-Spanish ATP Masters 1000 championship match since Rafael Nadal played Albert Ramos Vinolas at the 2017 Monte-Carlo Masters.
What Lies Ahead for the Champions
Davidovich Fokina extends his winning streak in China to 10 matches after claiming a previous title at an ATP 250 tournament in Chengdu. Jodar continues his pursuit of securing an official spot at the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin during his debut season on the tour, holding 3,159 live points. Meanwhile, defeated semifinalist Daniil Medvedev confirmed plans to compete at ATP Almaty following a period of physical recovery and physiotherapy work.
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