Davidovich Fokina Rips “Ignorant Drunks”

By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, January 21, 2026Photo credit score: Australian Open Fb

An exciting five-set duel between Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Reilly Opelka obtained rowdy and crowded on Kia Enviornment.

Davidovich Fokina, irritated by “4 ignorant drunks” within the crowd, withstood 37 aces from the explosive American edging Opelka 6-3, 7-6(3), 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 to achieve the Australian Open third spherical for the second time.

Afterward, Davidovich Fokina ripped into 4 apparently inebriated followers, who had been cheering Opelka after the Spaniard slipped to the court docket and damage his ankle.

“Yeah, nicely, I twisted my ankle and he gained the purpose. And I feel it’s not honest for me they cheered that time as a result of perhaps I may get twisted worst,” Davidovich Fokina stated. “However, no, it was a low twist. Ididn’t have something. I didn’t have any ache.

“However on the finish it was not honest that they had been cheering at that time as a result of it was a free level for him.”

The 14th-seeded Spaniard stated total the group environment was thrilling, apart from the “4 ignorant drunks” cheering after his fall.

“I feel right this moment was an excellent match,” Davidovich Fokina stated. “The gang wished to see a fifthset. It may well occur right here, it may possibly occur wherever on the planet.

“So there have been 4 ignorant drunks that I can not doing nothing about. Nothing extra.”

WHAT A WIN!

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina survives Reilly Opelka in 5 units and nearly 4 hours to achieve the third spherical vs. Tommy Paul.

6-3, 7-6(3), 5-7, 4-6, 6-4.

Broke twice all match, the second on the final sport. He’s PUMPED. pic.twitter.com/KUdFLkXvZr

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 21, 2026

Every man transformed two of 11 break level possibilities. Davidovich Fokina survived 78 winners from Opelka, successful 23 of 30 web factors.

Aiming to match his AO greatest fourth-round consequence this week, Davidovich will face a well-recognized face, Opelka’s former roommate, Tommy Paul, for a spot within the spherical of 16.

The Twentieth-ranked Paul is 4-0 lifetime vs. Davidovich Fokina with two of the 4 wins coming in Melbourne Park, together with a 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 thrashing within the 2025 fourth spherical.

“It’s going to be a battle. We play two instances right here,” Davidovich Fokina stated of Paul. “The firsttime was in 5 units, he beat me. And I used to be useless final yr. I can’t depend that one.

“However each time I apply or play in opposition to him, he at all times placing loads of stress, even when he’s serving and returning. So we form of have related sport, it may be, however perhaps I’m a bit bit extra aggressive than him.”