Davidovich Fokina wakes up early and clinches spot in last 16 at Toronto Masters against Rublev
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina won against Jakub Mensik 6-2, 6-4 on Friday
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, 2025 | © Zuma / PsNewz
Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina didn’t just wake up early on Friday at the Aviva Centre, he also outlasted Czech Jakub Mensik, the No. 12 seed, with a straight-sets 6-2, 6-4 victory to reach the last 16 of the Toronto Masters. The No. 20 seed and world No. 26 will next face Russian Andrey Rublev, the No 6 seed, won against Italian Lorenzo Sonego, the No 28 seed, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.
Finally, it seems Davidovich Fokina is indeed a morning man, despite his well-publicized grumbles about the early match time. Before stepping on court at 11 a.m. local in. Canada, he vented on social media: “Why am I the only one playing at 11am? Come on ATP, give me some love 🙃 #EarlyBirdProblems.” British player Dan Evans delivered what might pass for tough love, replying, “Get up and play. The world gets up and works from 9 to 5 or even 8 to 6. Pathetic.”
Davidovich Fokina’s journey to the third round in Toronto was no stroll in the park. His solid win over Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the second round, 6-4, 6-3, marked a personal milestone – his 33rd match win this season, surpassing his previous best of 32 wins set last year. Moreover, this marked Davidovich Fokina’s 20th victory on hard courts this season, a milestone only one other male player has achieved so far this year.
Having recently come close to clinching the Washington Open title – only to fall in the final after holding championship points against Alex de Minaur – his on-court determination is as palpable as his off-court frustrations.
Toronto Masters 1000, other third-round results (Aviva Centre, hard, USD 9.193.540, most recent results first):
- Brandon Nakashima vs. Ben Shelton
- Alex De Minaur (9) beat Christopher O’Connell: W/O
- Gabriel Diallo vs. Taylor Fritz
- Flavio Cobolli vs. Fabian Marozsan
- Frances Tiafoe vs. Aleksandar Vukic
- Arthur Fils vs. Jiri Lehecka
- Andrey Rublev vs. Lorenzo Sonego
- Alexei Popyrin (18) beat Daniil Medvedev (10): 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
- Holger Rune (5) beat Alexandre Muller (29): 6-2, 6-4
- Alexander Zverev (1) beat Matteo Arnaldi (32): 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2
- Learner Tien beat Reilly Opelka: 7-6 (3), 6-3
- Casper Ruud (8) beat Nuno Borges (30): 7-5, 6-4
- Francisco Cerundolo (14) beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry: 6-3, 6-4
- Alex Michelsen (26) beat Lorenzo Musetti (3): 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4
- Karen Khachanov (11) beat Emilio Nava (Q): 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-1
