Alex de Minaur inflicted more heartbreak on Alejandro Davidovich Fokina after saving three championship points to win the Washington Open.
De Minaur had lost the Washington Open in 2018, and looked set for another runner-up finish when he found himself 5-2 down in the deciding set.
This would have been a first career title for Davidovich Fokina, who had beaten Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz to reach the Washington Open final.
However, the Spaniard was once again unable to cross the finish line, leaving him in tears after losing the final.
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesAlex de Minaur details what he told Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Despite being overjoyed to win his 10th career title, De Minaur took some time after the match to sit with Davidovich Fokina on his players’ bench.
De Minaur has received a lot of praise for his sportsmanship in doing this, and in his post-match press conference the Australian was asked about what he actually told Davidovich Fokina.
While he admitted that there was not a lot he really could say, De Minaur did tell Davidovich Fokina how good a player he is.
“Yeah, look, it’s absolutely brutal. I feel for him,” said De Minaur. “Look, nothing I could say in that moment was going to make the situation better. I just wanted to let him know how good of a player he is. He is way too good to not have a title.
“It’s just a matter of time. He’s an incredible player. He’s had five top-10 wins this year. He’s someone that no one wants to play against, right?
“Yeah, I did my best to try to make the situation a little bit better, but look, I know he’s on the up. His whole team knows he’s on the up. Everyone in the locker room knows he’s on the up. He’s going to be a very dangerous player to play against in the hard-court swing.”
Davidovich Fokina, who has been called underrated by Nick Kyrgios, has now lost four ATP finals in his career, and has had multiple championship points in two of those finals.
Alex de Minaur reveals if he has ever been comforted by another player after a final defeat
Although he has now won 10 ATP titles, De Minaur also knows how it feels to be on the losing end of the final like Davidovich Fokina.
The 26-year-old has finished as runner-up in nine ATP finals, including his most recent before the Washington Open when Carlos Alcaraz beat De Minaur in Rotterdam.
This prompted De Minaur to be asked if anyone has ever comforted him after a final defeat like he did, which was not something he could recall in quite the same scenario, but he did suggest he had been involved in some similar conversations with players away from the matchcourt.
“That’s a good question. I’m not too sure I can recall a moment right now,” answered De Minaur. “I have had some great chats with players not after matches, just like after a training or just random chats. I have had great chats with my team.
“Me and my team, we are brutally honest with each other, and sometimes, especially in the toughest moments, you know, some of those words hurt but I know deep down they’re the truth and they’re what I need to hear.
“Look, I think thanks to the great team of people around me that kind of keep me grounded but also keep pushing me and keep believing in me that I can do certain things is the reason I am here right now.”
After winning his first ATP title in over a year, De Minaur has now climbed back into the top 10 of the ATP rankings.
Both players are now scheduled to compete at the Canadian Open in Toronto, but are already in the second round after receiving byes as seeded players.