Davidovich Fokina’s Shanghai Masters Comeback: From Five Lost Finals to a Masters 1000 Champion

Davidovich Fokina Completes Shanghai Masters Comeback

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has finally reached the summit of an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, and he did it the hard way. The Spanish tennis player came from a set and a break down to defeat 20-year-old Rafael Jódar in an all-Spanish final at the 2026 Shanghai Masters on October 18.

The 27-year-old, seeded 25th, recovered from a disastrous opening set to win 1–6, 7–6(5), 6–4. The victory delivered the biggest title of his career and completed a remarkable turnaround for a player who had lost his first five ATP Tour finals.

Shanghai Masters Final: Jódar Strikes First

Jódar entered his first Masters 1000 final with confidence after an impressive run through the draw, including a semifinal victory over former champion Daniil Medvedev. He carried that momentum into the championship match, breaking Davidovich Fokina twice to take the opening set 6–1.

The teenager then moved ahead by a break in the second set, leading 3–2 and placing the experienced Spaniard under enormous pressure. With the title slipping away, Davidovich Fokina needed to find another level of tennis—and he did.

Davidovich Fokina’s Comeback Changes the Match

Davidovich Fokina immediately broke back to level the second set at 3–3. His speed around the court, determination in extended rallies and ability to recover difficult shots helped him stay alive as the contest tightened.

Neither player could establish complete control, and the set eventually reached a tiebreak. Jódar remained competitive, but Davidovich Fokina held his nerve to win it 7–5 and force a deciding set.

That response proved decisive. Having spent much of the match chasing his younger opponent, Davidovich Fokina now had the momentum—and the chance to complete a comeback that would define his season.

First ATP Masters 1000 Title After Years of Heartbreak

The final set brought another demanding battle. Both players traded early breaks before Davidovich Fokina secured the crucial advantage at 3–2. He protected his lead and eventually closed out the match 6–4, sealing his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title after two hours and 28 minutes.

The achievement carries added significance because Davidovich Fokina had lost his first five tour-level finals, including the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters final. His fortunes changed in 2026, when he won titles in Mallorca and Chengdu before completing his Shanghai breakthrough.

His Shanghai run was built on resilience. He saved a match point against Frances Tiafoe earlier in the tournament and came from a set down to beat Hubert Hurkacz and Alexander Zverev on his way to the final. The championship victory was another example of his ability to survive difficult moments.

Rafael Jódar Makes His Own Statement

Despite losing the final, Jódar leaves Shanghai with a significant achievement of his own. The 20-year-old reached his first Masters 1000 championship match after defeating several established players, including Medvedev in the semifinals.

His run also highlighted the potential of Spain’s next generation of tennis talent. Jódar started the final impressively, but Davidovich Fokina’s experience and physical persistence ultimately proved decisive over three sets.

What the Shanghai Masters Win Means for Davidovich Fokina

The title marks a major milestone for Davidovich Fokina, who returned to competition in late September after missing around two months with a back injury. His Chengdu triumph had already signalled a strong return, and the Shanghai Masters victory took that comeback to another level.

The Spaniard also extended his winning streak in China to 10 matches and secured his third title of the 2026 season. After years of near-misses in finals, he has now won three consecutive ATP Tour title matches.

For Davidovich Fokina, Shanghai was more than a trophy-winning week. It was proof that persistence can change a career’s direction—and that even when a final appears to be slipping away, the match is not over until the last point.