Davidovich Fokina Slides Past De Minaur At Queen’s Club

Five years ago, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina won the Wimbledon Boys’ Singles title. Although the Spaniard arrived at The Queen’s Club this week with a 1-3 tour-level record on grass, he has shown this week he is plenty capable on the surface.

Davidovich Fokina battled past Australian Alex de Minaur 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 after two hours and 16 minutes to reach the quarter-finals at the Cinch Championships.

“When you play the first match, it’s always tough, because the grass is slippery and you have to be physically so strong,” Davidovich Fokina said in his on-court interview. “When you are winning matches, you have more confidence with yourself and this match against Alex brought me a lot more.”

The 23-year-old thrilled the London crowd with his entertaining tennis. “Foki” slipped and slid here and there, but crucially was locked in on break points — both for and against him — and that made the difference. Davidovich Fokina saved eight of the 10 break points he faced and converted all three he earned to secure his second win of the week.

“To play on grass, you have to be focussed on every point because it can escape, the games, so quickly. And Alex is a very good player here on grass,” Davidovich Fokina said. “I had to be [focussed] every point, because I knew I had my chances. I’m so happy for the win.”

Davidovich Fokina will next play Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, who defeated former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(5), 6-3. Like the Spaniard, van de Zandschulp began the tournament with one tour-level victory on grass. Now he has three, having also eliminated Briton Paul Jubb in the first round.