By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina turned the impossible dream into an impossible reality.
World number 66 Davidovich Fokina came back from a two-set deficit for the first time in his career in shock. Happy Auger-Also 6-7 (7), 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-1 6-3, to fight in the third round of the Australian Open for the first time in five career appearances at Melbourne Park.
The Spaniard’s quick court coverage, consistency and some well-timed shots helped him turn the tide in a wild four-hour-and-51-minute victory that featured some unusual issues and ended around 1:10 a.m. of Melbourne.
The match was moved to Court 7 due to some rowdy, apparently drunk fans on a nearby court. In the last set Davidovich Fokina was hit with a penalty point for a time violation. He stopped the game briefly to call the supervisor to plead his case.
Despite this shot, Davidovich Fokina avoided all four break points in the final set, handing a deep loss to AO 2022 quarterfinalist Auger-Aliassime.
Davidovich Fokina defeated Auger-Aliassime for the first time in five career meetings, avenging a 7-6 (4), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) victory from Canadian in the second round 2022.
The 25-year-old Davidovich Fokina will face the 19-year-old Jakub Mensik for a place in the round of 16.
The teenage powerhouse from the Czech Republic upset the sixth-place finisher Casper Ruud 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to play in his first AO third round.
The 48th-ranked Mensik improved to 6-2 on the season and said he was 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 ago. years ago.
“I mean, all the young players that play here, even the ones that aren’t here, they try to reach the same level,” Mensik said. “For example, like Jannik and Carlos, they were a few years ago, two years ago still teenagers.
“Obviously, you know, it’s not our opportunity, but we can approach them all the same and go with their steps and try to reach the same level, compete against them. At least I have that. I I may be able to try to reach the same level, to continue to improve.”
