Alejandro Davidovich Fokina Is Shanghai Champion, Kartal Beaten
Locker Room
October 19, 2026
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has won the biggest title of his career at the age of 27.
And it was fitting that the Spanish journeyman took the Shanghai Masters after downing the mighty Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile Britain’s Sonay Kartal fought ferociously in the Wuhan final – but finally ran out of steam on her comeback.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Sonay Kartal will be looking to go second-week-deep at Wimbledon 2027 next summer.
For the surprise Masters 1000 winner, recent weeks have represented something of a fairy tale. He has lost five finals in the course of his career.
Now in the space of a couple of months he has triumphed twice – previous glory coming in Chengdu in September. He even won Mallorca earlier this year to make it a dream 2026.
But you could say the same for his compatriot, Rafael Jodar. The beaten finalist keeps climbing – and is surely destined for the top ten in the next few months.
Davidovich Fokina may have claimed the silverware with a remarkable 1-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 comeback in Shanghai.
But Jodar is the young man tipped to challenge the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner going forward. The future of tennis is bright with 20-year-olds like this on the scene!
And we should also salute French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska for a battling 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 comeback victory over Sonay Kartal in the Wuhan final.
Again, you could say the week has been more about the losing finalist than the eventual winner.
Just as Jodar is the sensation they are talking about in the men’s game, so Kartal has grabbed the attention on the WTA Tour all week.
Sonay has only played ten matches since her months in the injury wilderness, Yet her tennis has been out of this world and promises so much!
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina may not command as much attention as Sonay Kartal at Wimbledon 2027. The British public will be sure to roar on Kartal at her home Slam.
But will you be at Wimbledon 2027 to cheer on your own favourite?
Check out the prestigious Wimbledon Debenture Holders prices here for some of the finest seats on Centre Court and Court No1.
You can pick your favourite day – and they are all destined to be full of glory, glamour and drama at the historic home of tennis!
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We look forward to hearing from you.