Davidovich Fokina beat Zverev 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in the semi-final in Shanghai. Lose the first set, come back, win the third on fitness: I know that match. I play it every other Sunday, at ten, on court 4.
He said: “I knew that if I stayed in the match throughout the whole contest, I would have at least one chance, and I took it in the second set.” That’s my game plan, word for word. Stay in the match. Wait for the chance. The difference is that in the second set my chance comes too, but my phone buzzes in the bag.
Then: “In the third set, I think I was in better physical shape than him.” Now that is management. Me, I build my third-set fitness at the clubhouse bar, with last week’s cone of chips. For recovery.
The early break in the third gave him “a lot of energy”, he said. Clear intentions, comfort zone found again. That pattern, I make it. Not every time, but I make it. The problem is that across the net it isn’t Zverev, it’s a lady from Wavre who misses nothing and never runs.
He is 26th. Zverev was top seed and 2nd in the ATP rankings. People will say the gap was big. The level on tour has gone way up, people don’t realise. Between a 26th and a 2nd there is only one good third set. Between him and me, two practice sessions, mind you.
He took an early break and says it gives you energy. My aunt said the same about her eleven o’clock coffee. The coffee, at least, never gave a press conference.
He plays his second Masters 1000 final on Sunday, against Medvedev or Jódar, then comes to the European Open in Brussels. I won’t take up any room. My season really starts in May.
It’s true, we checked: Sudinfo · Tennis.
