Fabio Fognini received a wild card for the Monte Carlo Masters, entering the main draw in the Principality for the 14th time. The 2019 champion will face Francisco Cerundolo in the first round, seeking his first Monte Carlo win in three years.
Speaking about his Monte Carlo journey, Fognini explained his connections with a notable event. His mother used to come to Monte Carlo with her friends from the tennis club, and Fabio was often there with her.
Fognini's career-high moment in the Principality came in 2019 when he lifted a trophy. The Italian defeated Rafael Nadal in semi-final in style, calling it one of his career-best victories.
Fabio toppled Rafa 6-4, 6-2 in an hour and 36 minutes, with the king of clay experiencing a tough defeat at one of his favorite tournaments. Fognini arrived in Monte Carlo with only four wins that year. He prevailed over Andrey Rublev in the first round and never looked back.
Nadal had won 71 of his previous 75 matches in Monte Carlo. However, the 11-time champion stood no chance against the Italian, who outplayed him in every department. Fabio took the ball early and hit bullets from both wings to control the pace.
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Rafa's shots lacked depth and precision, making his powerless in the exchanges. The Spaniard served at 70% and drew nothing from that! Fognini collected almost 60% of the return points. He generated ten break points and seized six to control the scoreboard.
Nadal provided only three breaks and lost the ground after a promising start. The Italian hit 21 winners and 22 unforced errors. He reduced the Spaniard to ten direct points and welcomed 25 mistakes from the king of clay.
Fognini built a massive advantage in the shortest and mid-range exchanges,doingeverything right despite serving under 50%. The lower-ranked player seized the fourth break point in the first game of the duel for an early advantage.
Nadal pulled the break back in the second game and held at 15 for 2-1. The 11-time winner played better in windy conditions and provided another break in game four for a 3-1 lead. The Spaniard netted a backhand in the fifth game and dropped serve.
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Fabio closed the eighth game with a service winner and locked the result at 4-4. The Italian clinched a break at love in game nine after the Spaniard's loose forehand and served for the set. Fognini landed a volley winner and held at 30 for 6-4 in 55 minutes.
The Italian gained a boost and painted a backhand crosscourt winner in the first game of the second set for an early break. He held at love with an ace and cemented the advantage. Rafa lost the ground and experienced another break in the third game to extend his downfall.
Fabio made another push on the return in the fifth game, drawing the rival's mistake and providing his fourthconsecutive break for a 5-0 advantage. Fognini served for the win and a bagel in game six and generated three match points.
Nadal saved them and pulled one break back with a forehand crosscourt winner. The king of clay held in the seventh game and reduced the gap to 5-2. The Italian served for the win for the second time in game eight and drew the Spaniard's mistake for two match points.
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Fabio painted a forehand down the line winner on the first, moving over the top in style and celebrating one of his career-best wins.
"I arrived in Monte Carlo in 2019 without expectations and with zero confidence. Things are the same now, although I have been inactive for a while. I also experienced an injury at the beginning of the season.
I remember my Monte Carlo duel against Rafa as one of the finest matches of my career. Every time I watch the highlights of that match or the final, there are plenty of emotions. Monte Carlo has always been my home tournament.
I was born in Sanremo and spent my youth in Arma di Taggia. Thus, I often traveled to Monte Carlo with my mother, who used to come here on Wednesdays with her friends from the club. I have many beautiful memories about this club, and I'm lucky to speak about them," Fabio Fognini said.
