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Alejandro Davidovich Fokina failed to reach the Barcelona Open semi-final following a tight 7-6, 6-4 loss against world no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz. Thus, Davidovich Fokina failed to beat another notable name a year after stunning Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo.
Speaking about his career-best triumph, Alejandro explained it gave him confidence and guidance on how he should act and compete. Djokovic missed Indian Wells and Miami last year and came to Monte Carlo after a break. He fell to Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 6-7, 6-1 in two hours and 54 minutes after a massive battle, especially in set number two.
The Serb lost only a few games against the Spaniard in their previous two encounters in 2021 but could not find the rhythm in this one. Struggling to impose his strokes in windy conditions, Novak sprayed too many mistakes and hit the exit door in only his second ATP tournament of the season.
The Spaniard defended seven out of 11 break chances and delivered nine breaks from 20 opportunities to control the scoreboard in sets one and three. Novak fired 27 winners and 51 unforced errors, and Alejandro landed 37 winners and 34 mistakes for a much better ratio.
The Spaniard stayed in touch with the Serb in the shortest exchanges and took charge in the more advanced ones to emerge at the top. Djokovic defended two break points in the encounter's first game and held with a service winner to avoid an early setback.
Davidovich Fokina made a rock-solid start in his games and held with ease twice to keep the pressure on the other side. He broke Novak in the third game after the Serb's loose drop shot to forge the advantage. The Spaniard claimed an extended rally in the fifth game and placed a forehand crosscourt winner for a 4-1 lead after 25 minutes.
Novak pulled one break back in game six to reduce the deficit and held after deuce in the next one for 3-4. Alejandro stayed focused and delivered his third break of serve at 5-3 after Novak's forehand error to wrap up the opener in 44 minutes.
The Spaniard saved a break point at the beginning of the second set and seized the second break chance in the next one after a 27-stroke rally for 2-0.
Novak Djokovic lost to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in three sets in Monte Carlo 2022.
Alejandro fended off five break opportunities in the third game to cement the lead and move 3-0 ahead and closer to the finish line.
Djokovic pulled the break back in game five after Davidovich Fokina's routine forehand error and gained some boost. Still, world no. 1 quickly lost it in the next game after his opponent's drop shot winner for a 4-2 gap. Novak broke back at 15 in game seven to prolong his chances despite playing miles below his best.
Alejandro received a medical timeout on his right hand ahead of the eighth game, and Novak held at love with an ace for 4-4. In those moments, the Spaniard lost the ground a bit and hit a double fault to get broken at love in game nine and push the Serb 5-4 ahead.
Instead of bringing the set home, Djokovic played a terrible forehand in the tenth game to get the rival back on the positive side. The set went into a tie break, and Novak had to win it to remain in contention. The Spaniard forced the Serb's error for a 2-0 advantage and fired a backhand crosscourt winner for 3-1.
Novak netted a backhand in the sixth point to fall 4-2 behind before claiming the following two points. Davidovich Fokina sprayed a forehand error at 5-5 to face a set point, and Djokovic seized it with a perfect forehand down the line winner to introduce a decider.
Alejandro made a better start and grabbed a break in the opening game for an early advantage. The Spaniard squandered three more break chances in the third game, and the Serb closed it with a forehand winner to stay within one break deficit.
Davidovich Fokina saved a break chance in the fourth game with a forehand winner and held after Djokovic's poor drop shot attempt. With nothing left in the tank, the Serb netted a tired backhand in the fifth game to fall 4-1 behind.
Novak saved a match point in game seven with a forehand winner before Alejandro seized the second to celebrate a notable victory and advance into the third round. "The Novak Djokovic Monte Carlo victory gave me confidence and guidance.
Not many players have reached a Masters 1000 final, and I made a list. I beat Novak Djokovic, which showed me I could play well and challenge anyone when I'm focused," Alejandro Davidovich Fokina said.