The triumph marks a major breakthrough for the 25th-seeded player, who had previously suffered defeats in the first five finals of his career, including the 2022 Monte Carlo Masters. This victory represents his third title of the year, following successes at the Mallorca grass-court event in June and the Chengdu Open last month.
A Hard-Fought Path to Victory
The final began with Jodar, the 12th seed, appearing in complete control as he dominated the opening set. However, Davidovich Fokina demonstrated the same resilience that defined his tournament run. Having saved a match point in his third-round clash against Frances Tiafoe and recovered from a set down to defeat Alexander Zverev in the semifinals, he once again turned the tide when it mattered most.
A pivotal moment arrived in the second set when Davidovich Fokina broke back to level at 3-3. The Spaniard showcased his athleticism by retrieving a drop shot with an off-balance backhand pass down the line, a point he celebrated by falling onto his back. As the match progressed into the final set, physical challenges began to affect Jodar. The 20-year-old required medical attention for his right thigh at 4-3 and later appeared to struggle with his left foot and thigh after a movement toward the net.
Reflecting on the grueling encounter, Davidovich Fokina acknowledged the physical toll of the match. He noted that he felt he held a slight advantage in fitness during the deciding set, though he praised his opponent's performance throughout the tournament, which included a semifinal victory over former champion Daniil Medvedev. The match concluded on Davidovich Fokina's second championship point when Jodar was unable to return his serve.
Visibly moved by the achievement, the champion struggled to articulate his emotions during the trophy presentation. Expressing a sense of profound relief, he clutched the Shanghai trophy, marking the end of a long wait for a major title after his previous near-misses on the ATP circuit.
