Fabio Fognini Saves 3 M.P. In Hamburg For Second Title

Written by: Staff on 21st July 2013

Fabio Fognini Saves 3 M.P. In Hamburg For Second Title

epa03796153 Fabio Fognini (R) of Italy cheers with the trophy in his hand as he stands in front of Federico Delbonis of Argentina, after winning against Delbonis in the final of the ATP-tournament in Hamburg, Germany, 21 July 2013. EPA/AXEL HEIMKEN |

Original link: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/07/29/Hamburg-Sunday-Final-Delbonis-Fognini.aspx

Fabio Fognini won his second ATP World Tour title in as many weeks on Sunday.

Second seed Fognini saved three match points in the second set tie-break to beat qualifier Federico Delbonis 4-6, 7-6(8), 6-2 in the bet-at-home Open-German Tennis Championships final.

Fognini received €251,200 in prize money and 500 Emirates ATP Ranking points. Seven days ago, he captured the MercedesCup trophy in Stuttgart (d. Kohlschreiber).

Delbonis proved nerveless in the early stages of his first ATP World Tour final. He saved all five break points he faced, before he converted his first opportunity in the 10th game to clinch the 49-minute opener.

In-form Fognini broke serve in the first game of the second set. Delbonis, 22, responded by winning four straight games to take a 4-1 lead.

As Roger Federer’s conqueror moved closer to victory, nerves set in and Fognini got back to 4-4. In a tense tie-break that went with serve to 5-5, Delbonis squandered three match points at 6-5, 7-6 and 8-7. Arguably his best opportunity to win had come at 6-5, when Delbonis served out wide only miss a volley at the net.

Fognini grew in confidence and could have taken a 4-0 lead in the decider. The World No. 25 served for his 30th match win of the season at 5-1, but Delbonis broke serve to 30. Fognini broke serve for the fifth time to complete victory in two hours and 28 minutes.

Delbonis, currently No. 114 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, was attempting to become the seventh first-time winner on the ATP World Tour in 2013. He earned €114,510 and 300 Emirates ATP Ranking points.

He saved two match points to beat No. 14 seed Fernando Verdasco 6-7(5), 7-6(8), 6-4 in the quarter-finals on Friday. The last qualifier to win the Hamburg title was Albert Portas in 2001 (d. Ferrero).

Topics: ATP tennis news, Fabio Fognini, Federico Delbonis, German tennis news, Hamburg tennis news, Italian tennis news, Sports

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10sBalls_com says:

July 21, 2013 at 11:20 am

Fabio Fognini Saves 3 M.P. In Hamburg For Second Title – http://t.co/PcBXAxf0VT @FabioFognaTweet @BleacherReport