‘I’m ready to win it!’ – Djokovic conqueror Davidovich Fokina sets his sights on Monte Carlo Masters triumph
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has now twice backed up his victory over Novak Djokovic to advance to the semi-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters for the very first time.
The Spaniard has taken down David Goffin and world number 13 Taylor Fritz since ousting Djokovic, completing a gutsy turnaround in the latter match to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 over the American.
Taking out Goffin was no mean feat either, the Belgian having won seven matches in a row entering his battle with Davidovich Fokina, including a first clay title at the ATP 250 Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech last week.
The 22-year-old said after dumping out Fritz: “You know, when you beat Nole (Djokovic), the world number one, and the third set looks easy, it gives you a lot of confidence physically, mentally and technically.
“I push myself every game, playing harder and harder.”
Davidovich Fokina had to be patient to take out Fritz, finally breaking the American for the first time at the eighth attempt late in the second set.
He added: “I knew that I would have more chances to break and I just stuck to my game, stayed focused and believed in myself.”
R32: d. World No.1 Djokovic
R16: d. Marrakech champ Goffin
QF: d. Indian Wells champ FritzNo wonder you’re ‘so so so happy,’ @alexdavidovich1 😁#RolexMCMasters pic.twitter.com/UHzj0FTSsU
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 15, 2022
That belief shone through late in the match as the young Spaniard won 16 of the last 18 points against Fritz to book his spot in the last four of a Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career.
When asked by Prakash Amritraj after the victory if he feels satisfied with his run or if he is ready to win the tournament, Davidovich Fokina did not mince his words in response
“Man, I am ready for it!
“When you beat the [world] number one you have a lot of confidence!”
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