Fabio Fognini bounces over Bobby Reynolds to reach main draw – Rogers Cup 2012
Qualifying fourth seed, Fabio Fognini, took down the American challenger, Bobby Reynolds, in a three-set thriller at the Rogers Cup 2012 on Sunday. He hit back to sum up a 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4 victory against the world number 156 to progress into the main draw
at the Rexall Centre in Toronto, Canada.
The seeded Italian sought his rhythm after the opening set, eventually sealing the victory in three sets in their second encounter at. After registering this match in two hours and 19 minutes, Fognini not only avenged his defeat at the BNP Paribas Open in
Indian Wells three years ago but also secured a spot in the main draw this outdoor hard court tournament.
The 30-year-old made a slow entry at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Masters 1000 event. He endured the initial blow in the fifth game and trailed at 2-3. However, Reynolds quickly counterattacked and not only snatched his break
back but took the set to a tie-breaker. He dominated in it and clicked the opener with a 7-6(4) score line.
Fognini rebounded in the following set and after earning the coveted break in the second game, he leaped to a 3-0 lead. The Italian then brushed off both breakpoints faced to keep his remaining serves, eventually sealing the equaliser with a 6-3 win.
Ranked 66th in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Fognini kept momentum flowing in the final set which counted the most. He got the desiderated break in the fifth game and took a 3-2 lead. Regardless of losing his edge in the very
next game, the Italian cashed in another break chance in the seventh game and then held his remaining serves with poise. He dusted away three out of four breakpoints he faced and capitalised on two out of five break chances to bag the decider with a 6-4 success.
Up next for Fognini is the Taiwanese contender, Yen-Hsun Lu, in the opening round.
The German veteran, Michael Berrer, will accompany Fognini in the main draw. He recorded an upset victory against the 11th seeded Croat, Ivan Dodig, to advance.
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