Comeback king Foki does it again, saves 2 MPs to defeat Mensik at AO

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina cemented his status as the comeback king at this year’s Australian Open on Friday when he saved two match points to rally from two-sets-to-love down to defeat #NextGenATP Czech Jakub Mensik 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-2.

Two days ago, the Spaniard battled back from two sets down for the first time in his career when he overcame Adelaide champion Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7(7), 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3. Facing Mensik at Kia Arena, the 25-year-old looked down and out once again when his 19-year-old opponent was serving for the match at 6-5 in the third set.

However, just as he did against Auger-Aliassime, Davidovich Fokina refused to surrender. The No. 66 player in the PIF ATP Rankings broke Mensik’s serve and then saved two match points in the tie-break to gain a foothold in the match.

Davidovich Fokina raised his level and intensity from there, with Casper Ruud’s second-round conqueror Mensik showing signs of mental and physical fatigue. Davidovich Fokina sealed the comeback on his first match point, 72 minutes after saving two match points himself, and then embraced Mensik before letting out a roar.

"I like to lose the first two sets and then comeback," Davidovich Fokina joked following his win. "I don't know how to describe this feeling. It is the first time I have won three matches in a row in Australia and it means a lot. Coming back from two sets to love, I had never done it and now I have done it two times in a row."

Into the fourth round at the Australian Open for the first time following his three-hour, 31-minute win, Davidovich Fokina will next play American Tommy Paul after the 12th seed beat Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6(0), 6-2, 6-0. It is the first time Davidovich Fokina has reached the fourth round at a major since the US Open in 2022.

"I don't remember that I saved two match points, wow," the Spaniard said. "I was focused. On every point I knew the tie-break was so tight. I was just focusing on every point and then in the fourth set I knew I would have my chances. The first two sets I didn't play great but I am very happy to come back."

Davidovich Fokina now holds a 9-7 record in fifth sets and is pleased with the mentality he has shown in the latter stages of clashes.

"In all these years I had a lot of up-and-downs," Davidovich Fokina said. "I had decided this year to fight for every point. It doesn't matter how the result is going. I don't look at the result. I think to be quiet and just focus, to play and enjoy the match. I think that gives me a lot of strength and power to still continue."

Davidovich Fokina's fourth-round opponent Paul is no stranger to the big stage in Melbourne. The American advanced to his first major semi-final at the AO in 2023 and has made an impressive start to the 2025 season. The World No. 11 reached the semis in Adelaide and has improved match on match in Melbourne.

Paul takes a 3-0 Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead into their match on Sunday.