The all-Spanish showdown was confirmed after Jódar defeated former world number one Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-4, while Davidovich Fokina recovered from a set down to overcome top seed Alexander Zverev 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 in Saturday’s semi-finals.
The final guarantees Spain its first champion at the Shanghai Masters, an ATP Masters 1000 tournament played on outdoor hard courts.
Davidovich Fokina produces stunning comeback against Zverev
Davidovich Fokina demonstrated impressive resilience to defeat Zverev, who entered the tournament as the top seed and was preparing to take over the world number one ranking.
The Spaniard lost the opening set 7-5 but responded strongly in the second, securing the crucial break to level the match at one set apiece.
A superb running backhand passing shot helped him complete the second-set comeback and shift the momentum in his favour.
Davidovich Fokina carried that confidence into the deciding set, breaking early to establish a 2-0 advantage before maintaining control to seal a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory.
The 27-year-old struck 36 winners during the two-hour, two-minute contest, combining aggressive shot-making with greater physical endurance in the decisive stages.
The win earned him a second ATP Masters 1000 final appearance, following his run to the championship match in Monte Carlo in 2022.
It also extended his winning run in China to nine matches after his title triumph in Chengdu last month.
Jódar continues remarkable breakthrough season
Jódar, meanwhile, continued his impressive rise with a composed straight-sets victory over fifth seed Medvedev.
The 20-year-old Spaniard won 6-3, 6-4, showing excellent composure in the key moments against the experienced Russian, a former world number one and Shanghai champion.
Jódar handled the pressure effectively, combining aggressive baseline play with effective serving and returning to secure his place in his first Masters 1000 final.
His run has been particularly remarkable given the demanding matches he negotiated earlier in the tournament. He had recovered from a set down in each of his first four matches before producing his best performance of the week against Medvedev.
The victory also made him the youngest finalist in Shanghai Masters history, adding another milestone to a breakthrough season that has already included his maiden ATP title in Marrakech.
Jódar now has an opportunity to cap his rapid development with the most prestigious trophy of his career to date.
First meeting between the Spanish pair
Sunday’s final will be the first professional meeting between Jódar and Davidovich Fokina, adding another intriguing element to the contest.
Davidovich Fokina brings greater experience at the highest level and enters the final in excellent form following his victories over Zverev and other leading opponents during the Asian swing.
Jódar, however, has shown that he can compete with established stars, having defeated Medvedev and produced several impressive comebacks during his Shanghai debut.
Both players will also need to manage the physical demands of a tournament that has tested their endurance. Davidovich Fokina played a demanding three-set semi-final, while Jódar has endured several lengthy encounters earlier in the week.
The ability to recover, manage pressure and execute under the spotlight could prove decisive in a final where neither player has previously lifted a Masters 1000 trophy.
A landmark moment for Spanish tennis
The final represents another significant moment for Spanish men's tennis, which has a rich history at Masters 1000 level.
However, the Shanghai tournament has never crowned a Spanish champion. Previous Spanish finalists, including Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer and Roberto Bautista Agut, all fell short of winning the title.
That history will change on Sunday, when either Jódar or Davidovich Fokina lifts the trophy.
For Davidovich Fokina, victory would add a maiden Masters 1000 title to his recent success in Chengdu. For Jódar, it would represent a remarkable breakthrough and further confirmation of his potential to become one of the leading players of the next generation.
The stakes are clear: one Spaniard will claim the biggest title of his career, while the Shanghai Masters will crown its first champion from Spain.