By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Photo credit: Hannah Peters/Getty
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina turned impossible dream into improbable reality.
World No. 66 Davidovich Fokina fought back from a two-set deficit for the first time in his career upsetting Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7(7), 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-1 6-3, to battle into the Australian Open third round for the first time in five career Melbourne Park appearances.
The speedy Spaniard’s court coverage, stamina and some timely running strikes helped him turned the tide in a wild four hour, 51-minute victory that featured some unusual issues and ended at about 1:10 a.m. Melbourne time.
The match was moved to Court 7 due to some rowdy, apparently inebriated fans on a nearby court. In the final set, Davidovich Fokina was hit with a point penalty for a time violation. He briefly stopped play to call for the supervisor to plead his case.
Despite that tiff, Davidovich Fokina fended off all four break points in the final set set delivering a heartbreaking loss to 2022 AO quarterfinalist Auger-Aliassime
Davidovich Fokina beat Auger-Aliassime for the first time in five career meetings avenging a 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 7-6(5), ,7-6(4) win by the Canadian in the 2022 second round.
The 25-year-old Davidovich Fokina will face 19-year-old Jakub Mensik for a spot in the round of 16.
The teenager powerhouse from Czechia upset sixth-seeded Casper Ruud 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to charge into his first AO third round.
The 48th-ranked Mensik improved to 6-2 on the season and said he’s been inspired by the success of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, who were both teenagers a few years back.
“I mean, all the young players which are playing here, even which are not here, they trying the best to reach the same level,” Mensik said. “For example, like Jannik and Carlos, they were few years ago, two years ago still teenagers.
“Obviously, you know, our not opportunity, but we can approach the same and go by their steps and try to reach the same level, compete against them. At least I have it like that. I can really be able to try to reach the same level, to keep improving.”
