WHAT HAPPENED: Grand Slams and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina epics go hand in hand.
That was very much the case once again on Court 17 as the world No. 39 kept a packed crowd truly captivated during a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 triumph over qualifier Daniel Elahi Galan, with chants of “Fo-ki, Fo-ki, Fo-ki” ringing out to toast an absorbing battle.
Fokina was firing on all cylinders from the start with flashy returns and surprise forays to the net. The sharp start was rewarded with an immediate 2-0 break lead, a scoreline which was repeated in the first three sets.
In the opener, the Spaniard held onto that advantage, skidding from side-to-side on the baseline and clipping in a few sumptuous lobs.
As the rallies intensified, world No. 94 Galan began to showcase the tennis that brushed No. 4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas aside. This time, the 26-year-old erased the slow start and clinched the pressure points to level up.
Davidovich Fokina re-engaged and with the same early advantage, raced 5-2 up on the scoreboard. Galan threatened to disrupt that rhythm, before the 23-year-old served out at the second attempt to then let out an almighty “vamos” when heading back to his bench.
Galan managed to prevail in five sets over Jordan Thompson in the second round and responded in kind. The world No. 94’s play was matching the raucous Colombian support in the stands to surge 4-1 up.
However, Davidovich Fokina missiled a backhand down the line and another acute volley opened the window to restore parity. At 4-3 "Foki" saved three break points to then chase down a low ball, near splits position, to guide a forehand to the baseline. Ten minutes later, a mammoth hold was completed to help launch the world No. 39 towards victory.
WHAT IT MEANS: The 23-year-old returns to the US Open fourth round just like in 2020. Two years ago, ‘Foki’ found eventual finalist Alexander Zverev’s striking too much. To extend his 2022 US Open, the Spaniard must conjure up the answers to dismiss 2012 champion Andy Murray or 2019 semifinalist Matteo Berrettini. Davidovich Fokina has never faced Murray, but defeated No. 13 seed Berrettini on clay at the 2021 Monte Carlo Masters.
MATCH POINT: The Spaniard, who started Adoptas.org as a non-profit initiative to boost animal adoption in his homeland, defeated Novak Djokovic en route to his maiden Masters 1000 final in Monte Carlo earlier this summer. Can ‘Foki’ replicate those heroics at Flushing Meadows?
