An equation is obtained that describes the nonlinear diffraction of a focused wave in a half-space starting from the wave source, then through the focus region up to the far zone, where the wave becomes spherically divergent. In contrast to the Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya equation (KZ), which contains two spatial variables, the calculation of the field on the beam axis is reduced to a simpler one-dimensional problem. Integral relations that are useful for numerical calculation are indicated. The profiles of a periodic wave harmonic at the input to the medium are constructed. A comparison with the results of a numerical solution of problems based on KZ is made, which revealed a good accuracy of the approximate model. The passage of a wave through the focus region, accompanied by the formation of shock fronts, diffraction phase shifts and asymmetric distortion of regions of different polarity, is traced.