Fognini upsets top-seeded Laslo Djere in Morocco
MARRAKECH: Italian tennis sensation Fabio Fognini showcased his trademark resilience as he bounced back from a tough second set to stun top-seeded Serbian Laslo Djere at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, Morocco. The match, which unfolded in dramatic fashion, saw Fognini triumph 7-6 (1), 2-6, 6-4 on Wednesday in the second round.
After dropping the second set to Djere, who dominated with a 4-0 lead, Fognini faced an uphill battle. However, refusing to relent, Fognini dug deep and clawed his way back into the match. Despite finding himself trailing 4-2 in the decisive set, Fognini mounted a remarkable comeback, winning the final four games and sealing the victory on his sixth match point.
Fognini’s victory was emblematic of Italian success on the courts that day, as he was joined by compatriots Lorenzo Sonego and Matteo Berrettini in advancing to the next round. Sonego, the No. 4 seed, battled past Sumit Nagal of India 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, while Berrettini secured a hard-fought victory over Spain’s Jaume Munar, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
However, not all Italians fared as well, as eighth-seeded Flavio Cobolli stumbled to a 6-1, 7-6 (5) defeat against Russia’s Pavel Kotov. With Kotov’s victory, he sets up a clash with the resilient Fognini in the quarterfinals, while Berrettini is poised to take on Sonego in what promises to be an exciting matchup.
As the Grand Prix Hassan II progresses, Fognini’s remarkable display of tenacity serves as a testament to the competitive spirit and unwavering determination of Italy’s tennis stars.(Reuters)
