In a gripping semifinal at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina delivered a masterclass in resilience, defeating American favorite Ben Shelton 6-2, 7-5 to secure his place in the final of the ATP 500 event in Washington, D.C. The 26-year-old Spaniard, ranked No. 26, showcased his tactical brilliance and steady nerve to outmaneuver the fourth-seeded Shelton, who struggled with 35 unforced errors against just 14 winners. The victory, sealed in straight sets on July 27, 2025, at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center, sets up a blockbuster final against Alex de Minaur, offering Davidovich Fokina a shot at his first ATP title. “Calm under pressure!” the ATP Tour celebrated on social media, highlighting the Spaniard’s composure in a high-stakes clash.
Davidovich Fokina’s journey to the final was anything but straightforward. Just 24 hours earlier, he endured a grueling three-hour, four-minute quarterfinal against top seed Taylor Fritz, rallying from 2-5 down in the third set to win 7-6(3), 3-6, 7-5 in a match that ended at 1:50 a.m. Despite the physical toll and limited recovery time, Davidovich Fokina entered the semifinal with remarkable focus. “Fokina loves facing big servers and once again, he dismantled one of the most dangerous,” one analyst noted, pointing to his disciplined performance against Shelton’s 144 mph serves. The Spaniard’s ability to neutralize Shelton’s power, particularly in extended rallies, was key. He broke Shelton’s serve early in the first set, storming to a 6-2 lead with eight aces and 57 winners, maintaining a 67% first-serve point win rate.
Shelton, the world No. 8 and a rising star at 22, arrived in Washington in top form, having not dropped a set all week. Fresh off a straight-sets victory over compatriot Frances Tiafoe (7-6(2), 6-4), he was favored to reach his second consecutive DC Open final, with bookmakers giving him a 65% chance of victory. “Shelton is yet to drop a set this week and is in perfect shape,” pre-match predictions noted, citing his 12-5 hardcourt record in 2025 and a career-high ranking. However, Davidovich Fokina’s 2-0 head-to-head lead—stemming from wins at the 2023 Paris Masters and 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters—loomed large. Both prior encounters went to three sets, but in Washington, the Spaniard’s steady baseline game and superior return play exposed Shelton’s inconsistency. “It was a rough night for Ben Shelton,” one observer remarked, noting his 35 errors overwhelmed his usual flair.
The second set was a tighter affair, with Shelton pushing back to level at 5-5 after trailing 4-2. Yet, Davidovich Fokina’s mental fortitude shone through. He held serve under pressure and capitalized on Shelton’s errors to break at 6-5, closing out the match with a love hold. “I explained why Shelton would struggle when forced into rallies,” a betting analyst commented, praising Davidovich Fokina’s ability to dictate play. The Spaniard’s 52% break point conversion rate and 127 points won against Fritz carried over into this match, where he outscored Shelton 79-67 overall. His performance was a testament to his 32-17 season record, bolstered by finals in Delray Beach and Acapulco earlier in 2025.
The Washington crowd, hoping for an American finalist, was left stunned as Shelton became the last of four U.S. players to fall in the quarterfinals or later, following Fritz, Tiafoe, and Brandon Nakashima. “Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Saturday in the nation’s capital: beat #1 American Taylor Fritz at 1:50 AM, beat #2 American Ben Shelton at 11:40 PM,” one post on X marveled, underscoring his remarkable 24-hour turnaround. Despite fatigue from his marathon Fritz match, Davidovich Fokina’s disciplined, steady game—described as “world-class” by analysts—proved too much for Shelton, who struggled to adapt to the slower night conditions. “After hearing De Minaur say how much slower it is at night, it makes sense,” another observer noted, suggesting the court speed hindered Shelton’s aggressive style.
Now, Davidovich Fokina faces Alex de Minaur in the final, a matchup where he holds a 3-2 head-to-head edge. “È arrivato il momento di Foki?” one Italian fan posted, capturing the growing belief that this could be the Spaniard’s moment to claim his maiden ATP title. De Minaur, who advanced with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Corentin Moutet, presents a formidable challenge with his 34-13 season record and nine career titles. Yet, Davidovich Fokina’s five Top 10 wins in 2025, including Fritz and Shelton, signal his readiness for the big stage. “The level of tennis was very high,” he said of his Fritz victory, a sentiment echoed in his commanding performance against Shelton.
As the tennis world tunes in for the final on July 27, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on Tennis Channel and Movistar Plus+, Davidovich Fokina stands on the cusp of history. His journey from a late-night marathon to a commanding semifinal win showcases a player peaking at the right moment. For fans, it’s a chance to witness whether ‘Foki’ can finally lift the trophy and cement his place among the ATP’s elite.
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