Davidovich Fokina beats Jódar to win first Masters 1000 title

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina claimed his first ATP Masters 1000 title on Sunday, recovering to beat fellow Spaniard Rafael Jódar 1–6, 7–6(5), 6–4 in the Shanghai final. The victory at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena completed a demanding week in which the eventual champion repeatedly escaped difficult positions.

Jódar, 20, made the stronger start. He broke twice to establish a 5–1 lead and completed the opening set in 27 minutes. Davidovich Fokina then lost serve again in the second set, leaving his opponent ahead 3–2 and within reach of a commanding advantage.

The response proved decisive. Davidovich Fokina immediately recovered the break, then resisted further pressure on his serve to keep the set level. A closely contested tie-break finally gave the 27-year-old a route back into the match, turning a potentially straightforward defeat into a deciding set.

The pair exchanged early breaks in the third before Davidovich Fokina moved ahead again. Jódar required treatment for thigh problems during the closing stages. His compatriot maintained the advantage and finished the contest after two hours and 28 minutes, securing the trophy on his second championship point.

The result gave Davidovich Fokina his third tour title, following victories in Mallorca and Chengdu this season. He had lost his first five tour finals, including the 2022 Monte Carlo Masters final, before winning his next three.

Shanghai also extended his winning run in China to ten matches. Earlier in the tournament he saved a match point against Frances Tiafoe, then recovered from a set down against Hubert Hurkacz and Alexander Zverev.

Sources

• Davidovich Fokina stops Jodar for Shanghai title — Rolex Shanghai Masters (2026-10-18)
• Davidovich Fokina beats rising star Jodar to win Shanghai Masters — AFP / Business Recorder (2026-10-18)