All Heart: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina first man in 20 years with successive Australian Open two-set comebacks

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is back with the "Foki" flare we're all accustomed to seeing.

The former world No. 21, who went 18-22 in tour-level matches last season to fall outside of the Top 60, has reannounced himself in a big way Down Under by becoming the first man in 20 years to earn consecutive two-set comeback wins at the Australian Open (h/t ESPN).

In the first round, Davidovich Fokina turned the tables on Felix Auger-Aliassime in a match that was relocated due to rowdy French fans on a nearby court to prevail, 6-7 (7), 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-1, 6-3. If that victory seemed impressive, given Auger-Aliassime arrived to town fresh off winning the Adelaide crown, the Spaniard’s sequel was even more monumental.

Taking on the highly-touted Jakub Mensik, Davidovich Fokina escaped from two match points down. Both were saved with gutsy poise: the first involved stellar reaction time to a net cord and a clean volley winner capped a thrilling exchange. By the end, the 25-year-old deflated the Czech, wrapping up a 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-4, 6-2 win.

“I didn’t remember that!” said Davidovich Fokina about the match point saves.

Having overpowered sixth seed Casper Ruud in his prior match, the 19-year-old slowly saw a follow-up victory slip away as Davidovich Fokina grew in confidence. The veteran surpassed Mensik in the winners department, with 51 to 48 and a 12 to 3 difference in the decider.

In press, the Malaga native shared that the time of day played its part in giving him the belief he could claw his way back.

“The first two sets were with the sun and the balls were like more alive, it was with more speed and everything. It was faster, the court,” he said.

“When the sun was going down there were shadows and everything. The balls were more slow then. I have my confidence that if it gets more slow, I have more chances to win him because he was serving very good, and there were not a lot of rallies, that he was getting tired.”

Currently ranked No. 66, Davidovich Fokina is the first man to win successive encounters from two sets down at the Happy Slam since Jean-Rene Lisnard in 2005. Prior to this week's effort, he had fallen in the second round across all four of his prior Melbourne appearances.

“I had a lot of issues last year. I didn't have the chance to be mentally like I am now,” Davidovich Fokina stated. “We did a very good preseason. I think all the work that all the team put on the five weeks of preseason, I think it gave me a lot of energy. Doesn't matter what is happening on court.”

Davidovich Fokina’s best run on the Grand Slam stage came at 2021 Roland Garros, where he reached the quarterfinals on the back of two deciding set victories in Paris. He can match that showing if he conquers former semifinalist Tommy Paul.

The No. 12 seed enjoyed a much simpler route to the round of 16 with his 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-0 dismissal of Davidovich Fokina’s compatriot, Roberto Carbelles Baena. It was Paul's most comprehensive display thus far, after going the distance with Christopher O'Connell in his opener and then coming through a four-setter over Kei Nishikori.