By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Picture credit score: Hannah Peters/Getty
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina turned unattainable dream into unbelievable actuality.
World No. 66 Davidovich Fokina fought again from a two-set deficit for the primary time in his profession upsetting Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7(7), 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-1 6-3, to battle into the Australian Open third spherical for the primary time in 5 profession Melbourne Park appearances.
The speedy Spaniard’s courtroom protection, stamina and a few well timed operating strikes helped him turned the tide in a wild 4 hour, 51-minute victory that featured some uncommon points and ended at about 1:10 a.m. Melbourne time.
The match was moved to Court docket 7 because of some rowdy, apparently inebriated followers on a close-by courtroom. Within the remaining set, Davidovich Fokina was hit with a degree penalty for a time violation. He briefly stopped play to name for the supervisor to plead his case.
Regardless of that tiff, Davidovich Fokina fended off all 4 break factors within the remaining set set delivering a heartbreaking loss to 2022 AO quarterfinalist Auger-Aliassime
Davidovich Fokina beat Auger-Aliassime for the primary time in 5 profession conferences avenging a 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 7-6(5), ,7-6(4) win by the Canadian within the 2022 second spherical.
The 25-year-old Davidovich Fokina will face 19-year-old Jakub Mensik for a spot within the spherical of 16.
{The teenager} powerhouse from Czechia upset sixth-seeded Casper Ruud 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to cost into his first AO third spherical.
The Forty eighth-ranked Mensik improved to 6-2 on the season and mentioned he is been impressed by the success of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, who had been each youngsters just a few years again.
“I imply, all of the younger gamers that are taking part in right here, even which aren’t right here, they making an attempt the very best to achieve the identical stage,” Mensik mentioned. “For instance, like Jannik and Carlos, they had been few years in the past, two years in the past nonetheless youngsters.
“Clearly, you recognize, our not alternative, however we are able to strategy the identical and go by their steps and attempt to attain the identical stage, compete towards them. At the least I’ve it like that. I can actually be capable to attempt to attain the identical stage, to maintain enhancing.”
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