Alejandro Davidovich Fokina continued his impressive record at the Monte Carlo Masters, overcoming Jack Draper in a thrilling encounter that ended with a score of 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-4 on April 10, 2025. The Spaniard, who has a history of performing well at this prestigious tournament, showed his resilience and skill, although he admitted that his performance was far from perfect.
Davidovich Fokina, who reached the final of the Monte Carlo Masters back in 2022, entered this match with confidence after reaching two finals earlier in the season. However, the match against Draper proved to be a challenging test. The British number one, fresh off his victory at the Indian Wells title in March, was determined to make an impact on the clay courts.
In the first set, Davidovich Fokina showcased his superior form, taking control of the match early on. He dictated play and seemed set to cruise to victory. However, Draper had other plans. The Brit fought back in the second set, displaying remarkable tenacity. He saved a match point during a tense tiebreak, ultimately clinching the set to level the match.
The final set saw both players battling hard, with Davidovich Fokina breaking first. Yet, Draper managed to bring the match back on serve, showcasing his fighting spirit. Unfortunately for Draper, it was a double fault on match point that sealed his fate, handing the win to Davidovich Fokina.
After the match, Davidovich Fokina was visibly emotional and took a moment to reflect on his performance. "Today I didn’t feel my best tennis and not my best mental strategy," he expressed during his on-court interview. "It was a rollercoaster with my mind. I thought I was playing better, but my mind was saying to me a lot of b******t. I don’t know how to control my emotions today; it was very emotional to play here. I’m so sorry for how I did it today, but I’m happy for the win and I’m going to try and improve for tomorrow."
His admission of hitting 57 unforced errors and 10 double faults throughout the match reflects the struggle he faced on the court. "For his part, he didn’t serve very good today, he was a little bit nervous maybe. We didn’t play our best tennis today," he said, acknowledging Draper's performance.
Despite the ups and downs of the match, Davidovich Fokina's victory marks an important moment in his season, as he aims to go one better than his previous finals. He has shown remarkable consistency this year, reaching the finals of ATP 500 events in Acapulco and Dallas, and making it to the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Jack Draper, on the other hand, will be disappointed with the result but can take pride in his performance. The 21-year-old has struggled to transition from hard courts to clay in the past, but he expressed optimism about his progress. "I feel like I’ve been transitioning well to the clay, been working really hard to look for my forehand and do all of the right things to be effective on this surface," Draper said before the match. "I’ve struggled a little bit in the last couple of years, but I’m really hoping this year with my new tennis that I can have a good run."
As the tournament progresses, both players will be looking to build on their performances. Davidovich Fokina's victory keeps him in contention at the Monte Carlo Masters, a tournament known for its challenging clay surface and prestigious history. The Spaniard's ability to handle the mental and emotional aspects of the game will be crucial as he moves forward.
Looking ahead, Davidovich Fokina will need to refine his game and work on his mental strategy to avoid similar pitfalls in future matches. His candidness about his struggles on the court is refreshing, and it shows a level of maturity that could serve him well as he aims for further success this season.
In conclusion, the Monte Carlo Masters continues to deliver thrilling matches and showcase the talents of rising stars like Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Jack Draper. As they both navigate the challenges of the clay season, fans can expect to see more exciting tennis from these two competitors.
