Second seed Davidovich Fokina recovered from a slow start to defeat qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. The Spaniard had not dropped a set all week until the semi-final but showed resilience to complete a two-hour comeback victory.
It is Davidovich Fokina’s seventh career ATP Tour final and his first since winning the title in Mallorca in June. He rises two places to No. 27 in the live rankings as a result of his run in Chengdu.
“Now I want to think about recovering as best as possible. I don’t want to think about the trophy,” Davidovich Fokina said. “It’s another match, another chance to enjoy on court. Today I was enjoying it a lot. I was fighting a lot. That’s what I want to do tomorrow.”
In the other semi-final, Hurkacz overcame Denis Shapovalov 6-7(8), 6-3, 6-3. The Polish player saved all three break points he faced and produced a strong response after losing the opening set to reach his first tour-level final since Geneva last year.
Davidovich Fokina leads their head-to-head series 4-2. Hurkacz will be appearing in his 13th ATP Tour final and his ninth on hard courts.
The final is scheduled for Tuesday as both players look to claim the Chengdu title and build further momentum on the Asian swing.