Rafael Nadal overcomes Fabio Fognini in four sets in US Open second round
Rafael Nadal overcame a 5-4, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 victory in the second-round clash with Fabio Fognini on Sunday, and took his first career title in London.
Nadal had a tough start, losing the first game of the match due to a racquet fault from Fognini. But the Argentine would fight back, taking the first two sets, before losing three more in an incredible comeback to take a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-7 (3).
With the victory Nadal takes his record to 7-1 against players from South America, with all of the wins coming at the clay court circuit. Fognini came into the match in the third round, and only began playing in his home country after losing in Rome at the end of April.
The 19-year-old had a tough time against Nadal, but he finally found his form against the world No. 1, and took the first set. Fognini came back strongly in the second set, winning two of the next three, to take a 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 lead.
Nadal, who came into the match with a 13-10 career head-to-head record against the Argentine, would fight back, winning the next two points to take a 2-6, 5-3 lead.
The world No. 1 broke Fognini in the fifth game, but his opponent then closed out the first set by winning the next three, to take a 6-2 lead. Fognini came back in the second set, but then served out the match in three sets, 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.
Nadal advances to his 13th career final, needing all nine points to secure his first Grand Slam title.
The match between Fabio Fognini and Rafael Nadal was epic, and had a great atmosphere, with many
