Fabio Fognini reborn in Rome: beat Andy Murray in three sets

A splendid victory against a great opponent to get off to the best start at the Foro Italico.

Fabio Fognini repeats himself six years later. At the Internazionali d’Italia, the Ligurian meets Andy Murray again on the same court where he defeated him in 2017, and he repeats the feat in 2023 as well. After 2 hours and 54 minutes of play, in fact, the score rewards the Italian with the partials of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

The beginning of the contest is extremely positive for Fognini, author of a first set that is perhaps the most convincing of his entire year. For Murray, the evening immediately looks difficult, with a first game in which he has to cancel as many as five break points to his opponent. He fails to do so two games later, conceding serve for the 2-1 lead that allows the Ligurian to control operations after a laborious 4-2 obtained after three break points canceled.

Decidedly more complex was the second game, which opened with a 4-0 lead for Murray. However, the match remains alive more than ever, and this is shown by Fognini’s comeback up to 4-5. The last break for the Scot, in a game that sees three on each side, however, forces a third set. Here the Italian breaks serve from his rival already in the first game and takes no more risks taking home the victory and the passage of the round.