Rafael Nadal has won his quarter-finals at the ATP Masters in Rome after starting difficulties. Against local hero Fabio Fognini, the Spaniard lost the first set, but then won 4:6, 6:1 and 6:2.
Fabio Fognini had taken the momentum from his victory over Dominic Thiem and also fought a furious fight against Nadal.
The local hero showed above all in sentence one what he is capable of. With great set court tennis, perfectly timed dropshots and wit, he kept up with his seemingly overwhelming opponent on the other side. Nadal, on the other hand, had starting difficulties and found himself in an unfamiliar situation.
The Spaniard first took the lead with a break and 3:1, but then had to give up the serve twice. After exactly one hour of play a 6:4 for Fognini was on the scoreboard and the sensation was in the air.
But Nadal didn’t let the hopes of the spectators for the coup come alive for long. A break for a 2-0 lead in the second round and a quick 4-1 lead brought Nadal back into the match and the world number one showed his whole class.
Another 5-1 break sealed the 6-1 set equaliser and the match in Foro Italico went into the deciding set.
Despite all the encouragement attempts of the Italian fans, it was again Nadal who got off to the better start. Fognini gave up early and was trailing 1:3. Nadal played dominant and used his strong forehand dangerously again and again.
After the 2:3 connection Fognini was treated at the left patella scene and was provided with a bandage by the physiotherapist. Nadal seemed unimpressed and rushed to the 4-2 lead.
Under bright sunshine, however, Fognini did not put up and fired slammed forehands into the half of the Spaniard’s game. However, Nadal was physically and playfully superior and celebrated the semi-final entry in Rome with another break and a 6:2 in the third round.