Alexander Zverev Stunned By Davidovich Fokina In Shanghai Masters Semi-Finals

Top seed Alexander Zverev fell to a relentless Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals on Saturday after a tense three-set battle. The world No. 26 fought back to win 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 and will face either Daniil Medvedev or fellow Spaniard Rafael Jodar in Sunday's final. The 27-year-old Spaniard combined grit, lightning-fast returns and deft drop shots to stun the German, who is set to end the year as world No. 1. "I was a little bit nervous," Davidovich Fokina said of his shaky start.

"But I kept going, I kept fighting, every ball," he said.

The Spaniard extended his winning streak in China to nine matches after claiming the ATP 250 title in Chengdu.

Zverev, the French Open and US Open champion, admitted fatigue had caught up with him.

"I think a break is quite necessary now," the 29-year-old told reporters, adding that he would assess his fitness ahead of the tournament in Vienna that begins on October 24.

"I carried a little bit of injury, I carried fatigue into the tournament, and I'm okay to lose to a player like this today," said Zverev, who had discomfort in his ankle at times during the Shanghai event.

The pair engaged in several long rallies in the opening set, earning Davidovich Fokina a high-five from the world No. 2 after one particularly impressive lob.

Despite a series of misjudged shots, Zverev managed to avoid facing a break point in the first set.

He sprinted to produce a brilliant backhand down the line, converting a crucial break point to move 6-5 ahead.

He sealed the first set with an ace and looked on course to reach the Shanghai final for the first time since 2019.

Trouble arrived in the second set, however, as Zverev appeared to be struggling physically.

Davidovich Fokina earned his first break point in the fourth game, but Zverev held serve when the Spaniard's return found the net.

The pressure eventually told, and Davidovich Fokina secured the decisive break before forcing the match into a deciding set.

The Spaniard then surged into a 3-0 lead in the third set.

Zverev saved two match points, but the reprieve proved only temporary as Davidovich Fokina closed out a memorable victory.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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