Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Heartbreak for Alejandro Davidovich Fokina! Alex De Minaur Saves Three Match Points to lift Washington Open Title

The Spaniard was serving at 30/0 for the title but De Minaur responded with a tie-break.

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Alex De Minaur defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(3) to claim the Washington Open title on Sunday. The Australian No. 1 rallied from a set down and saved three match points against the Fokina to win the ATP 500 event. Alex De Minaur came close to the glory in 2018 but lost to Alexander Zverev in the final.

With this title, Alex De Minaur won his 10th career title and also ensure he will break into the top 10 of the ATP Rankings ahead of the season’s third Grand Slam, US Open. On the other hand, Davidovich Fokina faced the heartbreak after having three championship points. He was leading the final set 5-2 and still, slipped from the title glory.

Alex de Minaur beats Davidovich Fokina 5-7 6-1 7-6 in Washington

Unreal.

3 championship points saved.

Down 2-5 in the 3rd set.

You have to feel for Foki, but Alex deserved it… he was an absolute warrior today.

✅10th title
✅35th win of 2025

Demon-mode. 🇦🇺😈 pic.twitter.com/0KLN2TS618
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 28, 2025

Also Read: Jannik Sinner Reunites with Controversial Coach Umberto Ferrara Ahead of 2025 US Open Title Defense

De Minaur Comes from a Set Down to Claim his 10th Career Title

De Minaur and Davidovich Fokina exchanged breaks initially in the first set but the Spaniard held the nerves to take it 7-5. The Australian ace bounced back and smashed Fokina in just 30 minutes, grabbing two of four break-point opportunities. With a 6-1 scoreline in the second set, De Minaur forced the decider in the final.

Davidovich Fokina was moving towards a clear win with a 5-3 lead in the final set. The Spaniard was serving at 30/0 for the title but De Minaur responded with a tie-break. The Aussie capitalised on a series of unforced errors in the tiebreak and saved three championship points to take the decider.

“I came here in 2018 and it gave me so much confidence, so I’m so happy that I was able to come back and end up winning the title,” De Minaur said during the post-game presentation. “Alejandro, you’re way too good not to have one of these; it’s coming for sure.

The Aussie star admired Davidovich Fokina for his brilliant performance in the final. He also offered consolation to Davidovich Fokina after a heartbreaking final as the Spaniard was in tears. He said, “You deserved it today, I just got lucky. You are a hell of a competitor, hell of a player. No one on the tour wants to play you. And this is not the end, this is only going on for you.”

Top pic: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina millimetres away from winning Delray Beach ATP 250 on match point vs Miomir Kecmanovic earlier this year.

Bottom pic: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina millimetres away from winning Washington ATP 500 on match point vs Alex De Minaur.

Cursed ? pic.twitter.com/Px3E248u59
— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) July 28, 2025

It’s a second instance when Fokina dropped the final after having championship points. In February, the 26-year-old lost the ATP 250 Delray Beach final to Miomir Kecmanovic after having two championship points. With this loss. Fokina is 0-4 in the ATP Finals.

Davidovich Fokina also mentioned that he required a wild card to play in the US Open last year and this year, he will get a direct entry into the draw as the rankings will be updated. “We had a job to do before we started the year, to be in the middle of the year in the top 20. This week we did it, just not with the trophy. But for sure, we will keep going, pushing our limits, pushing harder,” the Spaniard said during the trophy ceremony.

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.