Alejandro Davidovich Fokina secured a maiden ATP Masters 1000 title after beating Rafael Jodar in the Shanghai Masters final on Sunday.

Davidovich Fokina came back from a set down to overcome Spanish compatriot Jodar, winning 1-6, 7-6, 6-4. The 20-year-old was denied both the biggest title of his career and a top-10 debut in the ATP rankings.

Davidovich Fokina, on the other hand, rose 13 places in the rankings to a career-high of 13th in the world, but tennis legend Boris Becker thinks the 27-year-old can go even further.

Boris Becker sends message to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Davidovich Fokina said: “I need a few days to process everything from this month. Thanks to everyone who supported me from the start. See you soon.”

In response, Becker said: “Well done Foki! Next goal gotta be top 10 …in 2027!” One of the German’s all-time records was kept intact with Davidovich Fokina’s victory over the weekend. Runner-up Jodar was bidding to break Becker’s record for the quickest time between entering the top 100 and cracking the top 10 in the ATP rankings.

Becker’s took 210 days to do it, having completed the feat after winning Wimbledon in 1985, while Jodar was on track to manage it in 203 days. With the loss, Jodar remains the world number 11, just over 100 points behind 10th-placed Arthur Fils.

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Three Spaniards, Carlos Alcaraz, Jodar and Davidovich Fokina, are now ranked inside the top 15 following the latter’s remarkable run in Shanghai. Davidovich Fokina beat the likes of Frances Tiafoe, Hubert Hurkacz and soon-to-be crowned year-end world number one Alexander Zverev en route to the final.

The title in Shanghai was Davidovich Fokina’s third of his career, with all three being clinched this season. He won his first in Mallorca earlier in the year, and has recently added to his tally by triumphing in Chengdu and Shanghai.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s chances of making the ATP Finals

Davidovich Fokina’s victory saw him pick up 1000 points in the race to the ATP Finals, which is going down to the wire. The eighth and final spot for qualification is currently held by Jodar, who has 3,159 live points to his name.

There are several stars chasing Jodar, most notably Alex de Minaur and Novak Djokovic, who have 2,880 and 2,840 points, respectively. Also in front of Davidovich Fokina are Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Jakub Mensik and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Davidovich Fokina has 2,450 points in the race, and would likely need to rack up 1000 points or more to have a chance of qualifying. That would entail winning the Basel Open and recording a lengthy campaign at the Paris Masters.