ATP Metz: Fabio Fognini joins Lorenzo Sonego in the round of 16

ATP Metz: Fabio Fognini joins Lorenzo Sonego in the round of 16

Fabio Fognini returned to victory on the major circuit after 5 1/2 months, joining Lorenzo Sonego in the round of 16 at the ATP 250 Metz. The Taggiasco tennis player defeated Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild, world number 74, in the first round with a double 7-6 after two hours and seven minutes of play.

It took two tie-breaks for the Italian to come out on top in a rather complicated match in which Fognini committed as many as 13 double faults. In the first set è his serve was the dominant factor until the tie-break, won by the Taggiasco for 7 points to 3. In the second set Fabio twice went ahead by a break, but service problems forced him into a new tie-break. Here Fognini had to cancel two set points, but on the third match point he closed 9-7.

Fognini thus advances to the round of 16 of the French tournament where he will face the number one seed, Alexander Bublik. Also engaged in the round of 16 will be Lorenzo Sonego, who awaits the winner of the challenge between Frenchman Hugo Gaston and Jordanian Abedallah Shelbayh. In case of a success of both the Azzurri, it will be a derby in the quarterfinals.