Lorenzo Sonego earns Fabio Fognini in Metz: “I will give my best.”

Just over an hour and a half to pass the round.

Lorenzo Sonego advances to the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 tournament in Metz by beating Abedallah Shelbayh without too much headache in two sets. It ends 6-3, 7-5 for the Italian, who thus earns the challenge against compatriot Fabio Fognini in the next round.

Sonego got the better of his Jordanian opponent by taking the break that è earned him a 4-2 lead in the first set in just over forty minutes, then closing the score in the next set with a new break in the 11th game. Some headaches for him only at 4-3, when twice he had to prevent Shelbayh from breaking serve.

"I knew him and he è a great talent,‖ said Sonego of his opponent.

He has a nice serve, a good backhand and è very young. I wish him the best for the future of his career, but I am happy to have won. I served and responded very well".

So Sonego, holder of the Metz tournament, framed the upcoming challenge against Fognini: "It will be a derby, and he will have to face an opponent with great experience and crazy talent. Fabio è in confidence, and to beat him I will have to give my best".