The Spaniard reached his second Masters 1000 final, his best finish since Monte Carlo in 2022. He became the fourth-lowest ranked finalist in tournament history and will return to the top 15 on Monday.
It was only his second win over a top-3 player and his second in eight meetings with Zverev since a 6-1, 6-2 second-round victory in Toronto in 2023. It was also only the second time in 30 matches that he came back from sets against a top 10 opponent, defeating Poland’s Hubert Hubert, 26-6-6, 26-6, 26-6, 26-6, 26-6, 26-6, 6-6, 6-6, 6-3, 20-6, 6-6, 6-3, 6-6. 3-6, 3-3 to the opponent. Cup.
Zverev’s serve is broken before Davydovich Fokina finishes strongly
Zverev was not broken until the 10th game of the second set, when he served 4-5 and dropped serve to hand Davydovich Fokina the set. The Spaniard looked fresher and more determined in the decider. Under heavy pressure after slipping two match points at 5-2 down on Zverev’s serve, he remained poised to serve out the match. He finished with 36 winners and 20 unforced errors.
The victory extended his run on Chinese soil to nine matches after winning the title in Chengdu three weeks ago. In Shanghai, he beat American Jenson Brooksby 6-1, 6-3, saved a point against American No. 7 Frances Tiafoe to win 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (6) and beat Hurkac 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6). He then reached the semi-finals when France’s Arthur Gea trailed 4-1.
Zverev’s defeat cost him the chance to officially become the 30th world No. 1 on Nov. 2, regardless of his performance in Vienna. He beat China’s Yibing Wu 6-4, 7-6 (4), France’s Quentin Hallis 6-4, 6-7 (8), 6-3, Kazakh No. 19 Alexander Bublik 7-6 (6), 4-6, 7-6 (1) and Australian No. 9 Alex de Minaur in 6.
