Fabio Fognini halts Federico Delbonis to grab the title – Bet at home Open 2013
Italian rising star, Fabio Fognini, grabbed his second ATP World Tour title in two weeks after making an epic comeback to oust the Argentinean qualifier, Federico Delbonis, in a three-set thriller at the Bet at home Open 2013 on Sunday. He notched up a 4-6,
7-6(8), 6-2 victory against the Argentine at this outdoor clay court event being held in Hamburg, Germany.
Seeded second in this event, Fognini made a drastic start. However, he stayed focused and fended off three match points to steal the show. The beaming Italian commented in a post match press conference, “It’s an amazing week. I can't believe it right now.
I just feel incredible, a real good sensation. I'm very happy. I was, I think, a little bit lucky. I was nervous. Today, I didn't play really good, but I fought hard. I think that was the key. Another trophy, that’s the important thing. I want to enjoy [this]
as soon as possible. I fly to Umag tomorrow and have another chance to play.”
The Roger Federer’s conqueror made quick in-roads in the opening match. He superbly dusted away all five breakpoints he came across to keep his entire serves. Delbonis cashed his only break opportunity in the last game and carved out the opener with a 6-4
victory in 49 minutes.
Delbonis carried his rhythm in the following set despite suffering the first blow in the opening game. He availed two break chances and jumped to a 4-1 lead. However, the qualifier lost his track afterwards.
The Italian veteran on the other hand managed to get his break back and level the scores at 4-4. The set went to a tie-breaker where Fognini managed to survive three match points before grabbing the equaliser with a 7-6(8) win.
In the deciding set, Fognini dominated and ultimately pulled put the decider with a 6-2 score line.
The high-spirited Argentinean reflected after edging out by Fognini, “I tried to do my best on the match points. I don't know if I played bad. I tried to do the best on the three points. But Fabio also played well on these points.”
With this victory, Fognini earned € 251,200 in prize money and 500 Emirates Airways ATP World Tour Ranking points. He is coming off winning his first career title at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart (outclassed the local star, Philipp Kohlschreiber).
Tags: