ATP Montreal: Rafael Nadal overcomes slow start to topple Fabio Fognini
World no. 2 and the defending Canadian Open champion Rafael Nadal is through to the 72nd Masters 1000 semi-final, beating Fabio Fognini 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 in an hour and 57 minutes. Three months ago in Monte Carlo, Fognini produced one of the toughest loss for Nadal on clay and was on an excellent course of repeating that tonight in Montreal, taking the opening set before Rafa shifted into a higher gear to dominate in sets two and three and claim the 380th Masters 1000 victory and the 40th of the season. Once he found the range on the backhand, Rafa started to dictate the pace, hitting 20 winners and 22 unforced errors and leaving the Italian on an 18-34 ratio, taking the upper hand in the shortest points up to four strokes to forge the win and improving that segment in comparison to Guido Pella's match.
The Spaniard lost just five points behind the first serve and dropped 12 points behind the initial shot in sets two and three, mounting the pressure on Fabio who struggled more and more with an ankle injury, unable to move as he would have wanted in the closing stages of the encounter. Nothing worked in Nadal's favor in the opening set, struggling to find the first serve and suffering a break in game three after a loose forehand. Another weak forehand cost Rafahis service game at 1-3, allowing Fognini to grab the opener with four winners in game nine.
With no room for errors, Nadal started to fire from all cylinders in set number two despite still serving at 54%, breaking at love in game two following a double fault from Fabio and saving a break chance in game five to remain in front. He stole Fognini's serve to increase the lead and clinched the set with two service winners and 5-1 to gather the momentum ahead of the decider. There, Rafa broke in the first game thanks to a backhand error from his rival, moving 4-1 forward after a wild forehand from the Italian and sealing the deal with a hold at 15 in game eight to stay on the title course.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2YCyDmJ
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