Alejandro Davidovich Fokina continued his impressive record at the Monte Carlo Masters at the expense of Jack Draper.
The Spaniard tends to save some of his best tennis for the first Masters 1000 tournament, having reached the final back in 2022.
He entered the tournament having reached two finals so far this season, and he aims to go one better in Monaco.
Davidovich Fokina, 25, faced a tough test against British number one Jack Draper, and he showed exactly why he is a dangerous player.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina apologises to Jack Draper at the Monte Carlo Masters
Davidovich Fokina and Draper played one of closest and physically gruelling matches of the Monte Carlo Masters so far.
The Spaniard was dictating proceedings throughout set one and most of set two, and held match point in the tiebreak before Draper stormed back to send the match into a deciding set.
The third set was quite even, but Draper served his 10th and final double fault on match point, which gave Davidovich Fokina the victory.
Post-match, the World number 42 looked emotional as he say with his head in his hands. During his interview he issued an apology to his team, claiming he did not handle his emotions throughout the contest in the best way.
“Today, I didn’t feel my best tennis and not my best mental strategy in myself. Today was a rollercoaster in my mind,” the Spaniard said.
“I thought I was playing better but my mind was telling me a lot of bull—- and I don’t know how to control my emotions today.
“t was very emotional today to play here and I didn’t respect for myself first and for my team, I am so sorry for how I did it today. But I am happy for the win and I am going to try and improve for tomorrow.”
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina continues unbeaten record against left handed players
At the Monte Carlos Masters Davidovich Fokina won his first ATP Tour match against Draper.
The Brit is left-handed, which means Davidovich Fokina won his fourth match against left-handers and in fact, he has yet to lose against a southpaw.
When asked about his record, Davidovich Fokina said: “I will not tell you! But today Jack could have beaent me, he was playing better than me.
“But at the end I was just being every point, struggling every point, but I knew how to manage and stay on serve for the third set and try with all I have with my body for the last game and I am happy how I did in the last game.”
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
