Davidovich and the Art of Winning Through Suffering

Alejandro Davidovich and Hubert Hurkacz played a dramatic match in the round of 16 of the ATP Shanghai, where it was the Spanish tennis player who secured his place in the quarterfinals with a score of 1-6 6-3 7-6(6) after 2 hours and 4 minutes in which he improved his performance. Another epic victory for 'Foki', who has been no stranger to suffering in Shanghai but is achieving one of his best results of the season.

Two days ago, Davidovich had to sweat it out to eliminate Frances Tiafoe after saving a match point, but today's match was no less challenging. After a terrible start, the Spaniard gradually found his rhythm and ended up winning a match in the final tie-break that at times seemed lost. Alejandro thrives in these moments, and he proved it once again before facing Arthur Gea for a spot in the semifinals. It's time to dream big.

The worst possible start for Davidovich

The match began in the worst way for Davidovich, as Hurkacz managed to break his serve on the third opportunity he had after bringing the Spanish player to the net and surpassing him with a great volley. Alejandro’s start was disastrous, filled with too many unforced errors, to the point of losing his serve again, giving the Polish player a lead of 4-0 and serving in just 15 minutes.

The set had little more story, as Davidovich managed to get on the scoreboard with a service game, but Hurkacz did not falter and took the lead in a set to forget for the Spaniard, where he seemed far below the level shown against Frances Tiafoe that earned him a spot in the round of 16.

Davidovich reacts in time

Far from falling apart, Alejandro rose to the occasion and started the second set with great intensity, chasing every ball, making fewer mistakes, and achieving the much-awaited break that gave him wings in a critical situation. Additionally, at 3-1, he saved a break point with a great forehand, letting out a shout that was heard throughout the venue, making it 4-1.

However, the water jug went to the well so often that it finally broke, and at 4-2, the Polish player did manage to break back, restoring parity in the second set. Nevertheless, Davidovich forced 'Hubi's' machinery again, and after another great return game where he set the rhythm with his backhand, he achieved the break that allowed him to serve for the set. The Spaniard did not falter, leaving everything to be decided in the third set.

The tie-break decides the duel between Davidovich and Hurkacz

The decisive set began with a scare for the Spaniard, as in his first service game he had to come back from 0-40 to avoid a break that would have been a burden in a crucial phase of the match. Thanks to Hurkacz's mistakes and Fokina's good play, the situation did not escalate, although in his next serve, he found himself again on the ropes. 

It felt like the Hurkacz break was imminent, but Davidovich clung to the court with determination as is usual for him, and the match reached 4-4 with maximum equality and everything to play for. From this point on, any small error could cost a match, but the Spaniard was being braver than his rival and stepping up whenever a point extended. Hubert relied much more on his first serve, which had been infallible throughout the match, and in that dynamic, they reached the tie-break.

As had happened in his previous duel against Tiafoe, Davidovich had to put all the effort of more than two hours on the line in 7 points. The experience from two days ago served him well to avoid making too many mistakes and to capitalize on Hurkacz's errors, and at 4-4, he managed a return on the line that left him with 2 serves to seal his advancement to the next round. After going up 6-4, the Polish player saved a point he had lost, and then with another volley, he brilliantly saved the second match point. Normally, one would have expected him to crumble, but 'Foki' managed a parallel backhand passing shot, true to form, to serve again with match point and this time, he succeeded in closing out a wild match.

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