Davidovich Fokina takes Shelton for his third American scalp in Washington to reach final

Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the No 12 seed, moved into the final of the Citi Open by winning against American Ben Shelton, the No 4 seed, 6-2, 7-5 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington on Saturday.

Davidovich Fokina used only 80 minutes to overcome Shelton, who was far from his serving best.

The Spaniard was broken thrice but converted six break points on his opponent’s serve, averaging 52 percent on the second serve return. He registered 10 winners and won seven of his eight net points during the match.

Shelton struggled to employ his most potent weapon, the serve, effectively, committing five double faults (55 percent first serve average), and ended with 35 unforced errors.

For Fokina, Shelton was his third American scalp in Washington, as he defeated Taylor Fritz and Learner Tien in the previous rounds.

Davidovich Fokina, ranked No 26, will play Australian Alex de Minaur, the No 7 seed, next. It will be his fourth ATP final as he chases his first tour-level title. He is tied at 2-2 with the Aussie in their head-to-head.

In the previous rounds of the Washington D.C. tournament, the Spaniard defeated American Taylor Fritz, the top seed (7-6 (3), 3-6, 7-5), American Learner Tien (6-2, 6-2) and Jaume Munar (6-4, 6-2).

Shelton, ranked No 8, beat No 6 seed Frances Tiafoe (7-6 (2), 6-4), Canadian Gabriel Diallo, the No 15 seed (6-3, 6-2) and wildcard Mackenzie McDonald (6-3, 6-4) earlier in the tournament.

Washington ATP 500, other semi-final result (William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center, hard, USD 2.396.115):

• Alex de Minaur beat Corentin Moutet (LL): 6-4, 6-3

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