Alejandro Davidovich Fokina came from a set down to beat top seed Alexander Zverev 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals on Saturday. The Spaniard extended his winning streak in China to nine matches and moves into Sunday’s final.
Shanghai, China: Alexander Zverev walked into the semi-finals as the top seed and the man set to finish 2026 at the head of the rankings. He walked out beaten by the world No. 26, a player who spent the afternoon chasing every ball and making Zverev play one more shot than he wanted.
Zverev takes the opener
The first set was a contest of long rallies, and Zverev did not face a break point in it. He converted one of his own to lead 6-5, a backhand down the line sealing the break, then closed out the set with an ace. Davidovich Fokina had been competitive without ever getting a look at the Zverev serve.
The match turns in the second set
The momentum shifted as Zverev began to look short of movement. Davidovich Fokina earned his first break point in the fourth game, only for Zverev to hold when the Spaniard netted a return. The reprieve did not last. Davidovich Fokina ran down a backhand, broke later in the set and forced a decider.
Match points, and a Spanish finish
An early break in the third set gave Davidovich Fokina control. Zverev fought back to save two match points, but the Spaniard closed the contest out. He said afterwards that he was a little nervous at the start and that he simply kept fighting for every ball.
The result stretched his China run to nine straight wins, a streak that began with the ATP 250 title in Chengdu in September. In Shanghai he had set up a quarter-final against Arthur Gea by coming back from a set down to beat Hubert Hurkacz in the fourth round, then advanced when Gea retired in the first set.
A year-end No. 1 without a final
For Zverev the defeat ends a week that had tested him. He had to save two match points to beat Quentin Halys in the third round, then edged Alexander Bublik in a deciding tie-break while dealing with an ankle problem. Zverev had not reached the Shanghai final since 2019, and that wait continues.
Davidovich Fokina now faces the winner of the other semi-final, between Daniil Medvedev and fellow Spaniard Rafael Jodar, in Sunday’s final. An all-Spanish final would be possible if Jodar gets through.
Result: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) bt Alexander Zverev (GER, 1) 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
Event: Rolex Shanghai Masters (ATP Masters 1000), semi-final, Saturday 17 October 2026
Next: Final on Sunday 18 October against Medvedev or Jodar
