Alejandro Davidovich Fokina downs Casper Ruud in hard-fought Toronto thriller as giant-killing streak continues
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Updated 10/08/2023 at 22:58 GMT
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina continues his dream Canadian Open run after humbling Alexander Zverev on Wednesday before sending Casper Ruud out a day later. The Spaniard beat the third seed 7-6 4-6 7-6 on Thursday to set up a quarter-final clash with American Mackenzie McDonald. "I kept very focused on every point. “It was very tough," Fokina analysed after the match.
Highlights: Alcaraz beats competitive Shelton in Toronto opener
World No. 5 Casper Ruud was beaten by in-form Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Canadian Open in Toronto.
Davidovich Fokina beat the Norwegian 7-6(4) 4-6 7-6(4), a day after he humbled Alexander Zverev when he only conceded three games.
But it was a much closer contest against third seed Ruud, as the 24-year-old came out on top in the hard-fought, rain-disrupted, three-hour encounter.
"I kept very focused on every point," Davidovich Fokina said after the match. "He had the serve to close out the match, but I was focused on every point to be there and not give up.
“It was very tough. We played long rallies, with a lot of pressure. When I broke for 4-5, it was a show of power to finish the match."
Davidovich Fokina clinched the first set but he could not take advantage of the momentum he had gained as rain suspended play for one-and-a-half hours.
The delay worked in Ruud’s favour, as he came out firing into the second set and looked sure to seal the win in the third when he found himself two points from victory.
But the determined Davidovich Fokina came roaring back to clinch the thrilling victory, helped by his 58 winners in the match.
Davidovich Fokina’s quarter-final opponent, Mackenzie McDonald, advanced to the last eight after overcoming Canadian Milos Raonic 6-3 6-3.
Casper Ruud's loss in Toronto means Holger Rune will be the new world No. 5 - a career-high.
Elsewhere, second seed Daniil Medvedev ousted Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-4 to maintain his impressive Toronto record.
The 27-year-old is chasing his third Masters 1000 crown of the season - having previously triumphed in Miami and Rome - and is now tied with Carlos Alcaraz for most wins this term.
Medvedev will play Alex de Minaur in the next round after the Australian fended off eighth seed Taylor Fritz.
Astonishingly, the 24-year-old came from 5-1 down in the opening set to take the lead before going on to win 7-6(7) 4-6 6-1.
The win means he is only the fourth Australian since 2000 to claim five top-10 wins in a calendar year.
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