Mar 22, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) hits a forehand against Frances Tiafoe (USA)(not pictured) on day five of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

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Barecelona Open 2025 – Alejandro Davidovich Fokina joins Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur with this rare feat for the season!

Andrey Rublev suffers a shock defeat at the hands of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

The round of 16 clash between World number 4 Andry Rublev and Spanish World number 29 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Barcelona Open was a treat to watch. This victory also earned him his 20th win of the season, a rare feat this early in the year.

Davidovich Fokina outclassed his opponent to win his first match against the Russian in 6 attempts following a straight sets encounter that ended 7-5, 6-4. Continuing his dominant run of form, the Spaniard had his Russian opponent dealing with powerful shots as his forehand remained on song for most of the match.

Huge victory for 🇪🇸Alejandro Davidovich Fokina who is putting together a stellar 2025 season so far‼️

7-5 6-4 vs Andrey Rublev where he out-winnered the aggressive-minded Russian 37 winners to 13😱(1st win in 6 meetings)

ADF is 8th in the race right nowpic.twitter.com/tVWZdMSDcd
— TennisONE App (@TennisONEApp) April 17, 2025

Davidovich Fokina Enters the 20-Win Club for 2025

The Spaniard is having a great season despite no titles to show for it. However, one achievement that will lift his spirits is the fact that he now joins Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur as the only three players to reach the milestone of 20 wins this season.

The 25-year-old has made two finals this year and has taken out some top players in various tournaments, such as Taylor Fritz in the Delray Beach Open, Frances Tiafoe and Dennis Shapovalov at the Mexican Open, and Jack Draper at the Monte-Carlo Masters.

At the Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 semi-final, he lost to the eventual winner and fellow compatriot Carlos Alcaraz despite a tough fight. With the way Davidovich Fokina is playing currently, especially on clay, there is a great chance that he can challenge for a title before the clay season comes to an end.

Also Read: Holger Rune vs Casper Ruud Head to Head Record, Preview and Prediction for ATP Barcelona Open 2025 Quarterfinal

Davidovich Fokina Too Hot To Handle on the Day for Rublev

The World number 29 played a solid match from the very start as he took the game to his higher-ranked opponent. Mixing up his game, Davidovich Fokina ripped powerful winners and sent down accurate backhands as he kept Rublev on his toes.

Although Rublev was not playing poorly by any means, the Spaniard had all the answers and in a tightly contested first set, Davidovich Fokina broke at 5-5, following that up with a hold to love as he took the first set 7-5.

Carrying the momentum into the second set, Davidovich Fokina broke early to go up 1-0, but handed the advantage back to the Russian in game 4 to remain on-serve. Both players continued to display quality tennis, but Davidovich Fokina was able to find numerous winners by wrong-footing his opponent. At 4-4 came the crucial moment of the match as the Spanish sensation broke Rublev, needing to hold just once to take the match, which he did with a love game.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Andrey Rublev

Barcelona Open

Tennis

Devavrat Kulkarni

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