WATCH: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has a heated exchange at the net with Pavel Kotov after being hit on the body during their match in Mallorca
Russian player Pavel Kotov pulls off remarkable comeback, defeating second-seeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina amidst tense moments and fiery interactions..
Follow Us
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Pavel Kotov have heated exchange after their game at Mallorca (Image via Tennis TV)
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the second-seeded player, was defeated by Russian player Pavel Kotov in a thrilling three-set match at the Mallorca Championships. When Kotov struck Davidovich Fokina with a volley, the Spanish player fired back with ferocity, turning the match into a heated one.
Davidovich Fokina easily took the first set, 6-2, to start the match. The 116th-ranked player in the world, Kotov, improved in the second set. A contentious incident occurred when Kotov’s volley hit Davidovich Fokina’s body in the fourth game of the set, resulting in a score of 15 all. The Russian apologized and then smiled as the Spaniard responded angrily by giving him a “death stare.”
In that pivotal game, Kotov took advantage of the momentum and broke Davidovich Fokina’s serve to earn his first break of the match. The crowd was in awe of the Russian 24-year-old’s tenacity as he continued to mount an incredible comeback, ultimately ending up with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Pavel Kotov’s comeback and ‘Death Stare’ leave Davidovich Fokina shell-shocked
The drama was abundant during the game of tennis. Kotov demonstrated steely nerves by saving a break point while serving the final point of the second set. He faced a daunting 0-40 deficit while serving for the win in the waning seconds, with the match on the line. The Russian, who was ranked No. 34 in the world, however, displayed incredible composure by winning five straight games.
A significant turning point in Kotov’s career is reached with this victory, which advances him into just his second ATP quarterfinal. In the third round, he will now compete against South African Lloyd Harris. Following victories over Roman Safiullin and Bernabe Zapata Miralles in the preliminary rounds, Harris moved on. Given that this will be Kotov and Harris’ first meeting on the ATP tour, their upcoming match promises to be an intriguing one.
The Mallorca Championships have taken on an intriguing new turn thanks to Pavel Kotov’s outstanding performance and unexpected victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The contest demonstrated Kotov’s tenacity and capacity to prevail over a more experienced foe. Kotov’s upcoming match is eagerly anticipated by tennis fans as he continues his impressive tournament run.
In case you missed it:
- John McEnroe feels Emma Raducanu has been burdened with a lot of pressure by sponsors that could lead her to becoming a ‘One-hit wonder’
- Wimbledon 2023 draw: When and where to watch?
Stay Updated!
Ritesh Pathak
(2150 Articles Published)