Alejandro Davidovich Fokina says his new motto is to fight for every point on the court and it is paying off for him at the Australian Open.
The unseeded Spaniard is through to the last 16 in Melbourne for the first time in his career after coming back from two sets down to defeat Czech rising star Jakub Mensik 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-2. Fending off a duo of match points en route to the victory. It is the second time in a row that Fokina has won a match from a two-set deficit after also coming from behind to beat Felix Auger Aliassime 6-7(7), 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3, earlier this week. It is the first time in 20 years that a player has managed to stage back-to-back 0-2 comebacks at the Australian Open.
It is also the first time Fokina has managed to win three straight matches on the Tour since August 2023. Last season, he played in 23 events but only managed to record back-to-back wins in five of them which also includes the qualifying rounds. He is currently ranked 68th in the world which is his lowest position since 2020 but will rise back up the standings following his Australian Open run.
“In all these years I had a lot of up-and-downs. I had decided this year to fight every point. It doesn’t matter how is the result. Don’t look at the result.” Fokina replied when asked if he considered himself a big fighter.
“I think to be quiet with myself and just focus, to play, enjoy the match, I think that gives me a lot of strength and power to continue playing. Doesn’t matter what.”
The 25-year-old believes his recent surge in form is also down to a successful off-season training block. He is currently being coached by David Sanchez Munoz.
“I had a lot of issues last year. I didn’t have the chance to be mentally like I am now. We did a very good preseason.” He said.
“I think all the work that all the team put on the five weeks of preseason, I think it gave me a lot of energy. Doesn’t matter what is happening on the court.”
Fokina has been ranked as high as 21st in the world and has earned more than $7M in prize money. However, he is yet to lift an ATP trophy with his only final appearance being at the 2022 Monte Carlo Masters.
Now with a shot of reaching his first Grand Slam quarter-final since the 2021 French Open, Fokina will next play Tommy Paul who brushed aside Roberto Carballés Baena 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-0. He trails the Americans 0-3 in their head-to-head but has taken at least one set off him on two occasions.
