The Shanghai Masters and Wuhan Open came to an unexpected conclusion on October 18. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina captured his first Masters 1000 title in Shanghai, while Maja Chwalinska celebrated the first WTA trophy of her career in Wuhan.
In our tournament preview, we identified Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Aryna Sabalenka among the leading contenders. Yet none of them reached the final. With 888STARZ, we look at who took advantage of the favorites’ early exits and what these results mean heading into the final stretch of the tennis season.
Shanghai Masters: Davidovich Fokina Claims His First Masters 1000 Title
October 18 | Final: Davidovich Fokina def. Jodar 1–6, 7–6(5), 6–4
The all-Spanish final in Shanghai delivered plenty of drama. Twenty-year-old Rafael Jodar dominated the opening set and went a break up in the second, putting himself in a strong position to claim the title.
Davidovich Fokina refused to give in. He fought back to take the second set on a tie-break before completing the turnaround in the decider.
His road to the trophy was just as impressive. The Spaniard saved a match point against Frances Tiafoe, defeated Hubert Hurkacz and then knocked out Alexander Zverev in the semifinals, 5–7, 6–4, 6–3.
For the 27-year-old, it was his first Masters 1000 crown and the third ATP title of his career. The victory also lifted him to a career-high world No. 13.
Jodar emerged as another major revelation. The young Spaniard defeated Daniil Medvedev 6–3, 6–4 in the semifinals, becoming the youngest finalist in Shanghai Masters history.
Alcaraz and Djokovic: Why Did the Favorites Fall Short?
In our preview, we expected Alcaraz, Djokovic and Zverev to play leading roles in the title race. Instead, the tournament quickly overturned the established order.
Djokovic was eliminated in the second round by Hurkacz, losing 4–6, 3–6. The Serbian arrived following his title in Beijing, but a demanding schedule and the Pole’s powerful serve proved difficult to overcome.
Alcaraz exited in the third round. Belgium’s Zizou Bergs beat the Spaniard 7–5, 7–6(4), serving confidently and delivering in the biggest moments.
Zverev went further than the other leading contenders but fell to eventual champion Davidovich Fokina in the semifinals. Alcaraz’s defeat also ensured that the German would finish the season as world No. 1 for the first time in his career.
Wuhan Open: Chwalinska Makes the Breakthrough of the Week
October 18 | Final: Chwalinska def. Kartal 2–6, 6–4, 6–2
The women’s tournament produced just as many surprises. Poland’s Maja Chwalinska claimed her first WTA title after recovering from a set down and a break behind in the final.
Her opponent, Sonay Kartal, had an extraordinary week of her own. Ranked world No. 170 at the start of the tournament, the Briton returned from a lengthy injury layoff to reach the biggest final of her career.
But Chwalinska proved stronger when it mattered most, winning the final five games to secure the title. Her Wuhan triumph also took her into the world’s top 20 for the first time.
Sabalenka Stunned Early, Swiatek Falls in the Semifinals
The biggest shock at the Wuhan Open came in the second round. Three-time champion Aryna Sabalenka was beaten by American Ann Li 3–6, 6–4, 7–6(5). Li needed ten match points to close out the upset.
Iga Swiatek made a deeper run. She defeated Li in the quarterfinals but lost 5–7, 1–6 to eventual champion Chwalinska in the semifinals. Swiatek also required medical attention during the match because of a leg problem.
As a result, neither of the women’s tournament’s biggest stars made the final. Instead, the title was contested by two players few would have expected to reach the championship match.
The Biggest Takeaways from the Tennis Week
Shanghai and Wuhan showed just how quickly the balance of power can shift, even at the highest level of the sport.
Davidovich Fokina proved he can beat elite opponents over the course of a major tournament. Chwalinska turned an encouraging season into a breakthrough title, while Jodar and Kartal showed that their performances deserve serious attention.
For Alcaraz, Djokovic, Sabalenka and Swiatek, the October tournaments provided plenty to reflect on before the season’s final events. The ATP and WTA Finals are still ahead, with major trophies and ranking positions at stake.
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