Davidovich Fokina beats Auger-Aliassim with 5 points in AO third round match
Author: Richard Pagliaro @Nowtennis | Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Photo credit: Hannah Peters/Getty
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina Turn impossible dreams into impossible realities.
World No. 66 Davidovich Fokina fought back from two sets down for the first time in his career Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7(7), 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-1 6-3, reaching the third round of the Australian Open for the first time in five career matches at Melbourne Park.
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The Spaniard’s quick court coverage, stamina and some well-timed runs helped him turn the tide in a frantic four-hour, 51-minute victory that had some unusual issues and ended in Melbourne time It ended around 1:10am.
The game was moved to Court 7 due to some rowdy, apparently drunk fans on a nearby pitch. In the final, Davidovich Fokina was penalized one point for a timeout. He briefly stopped playing to ask his supervisor to plead his case.
Despite this feud, Davidovich Fokina saved all four break points in the deciding set to suffer a heartbreaking loss to 2022 AO quarterfinalist Auger-Aliassime
Davidovich Fokina beat Auger-Aliassime for the first time in five career matches, 7-6(4), 6-7(4) for the Canadian ), 7-6(5), 7-6(4) to win and take revenge.
The 25-year-old Davidovich Fokina will face the 19-year-old Jakub Mencik Fight for a spot in the top 16.
The young powerhouse from the Czech Republic upset the sixth seed Casper Luther 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, breaking into his first AO third round.
The 48th-ranked Mencic, who improved to 6-2 on the season, said he was inspired by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion. Inspired by the success of Carlos Alcaraz, they were both teenagers just a few years ago.
“I mean, all the young players that play here, even if they’re not here, they’re going to try their best to reach the same level,” Mencic said. “Like Janik and Carlos, for example, they were teenagers a few years ago, two years ago.
“Obviously, you know, we’re not a chance, but we can be close to the same level, follow in their footsteps, try to get to the same level, compete with them. At least I have that ability. I can really try to get to the same level, Keep improving.
