Fabio Fognini continued the best Sydney International of his career on Thursday, advancing to the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour 250 with a 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-2 win against fifth seed Adrian Mannarino.
The fourth-seeded Fognini, who had lost in the second round in Sydney three times before this year, sharpened his play as the quarter-final match progressed. Fognini faced eight break points in the first two sets, saving five of the eight. But in the decider, the 30-year-old faced only one break point and erased it.
“It was a long match,” said Fognini. “It was really tough from the beginning. I was, I think, in the first crazy set 4-1 up, double break, and I lost it. I was break down and I won the tie-break in the second. It’s always tough to play against him. But I'm happy because it’s first semi-final here in Sydney, so I’m happy with my performance.”
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Fognini, No. 27 in the ATP Rankings, will next face Russian qualifier Daniil Medvedev, who dismissed Fognini's countryman Paolo Lorenzi 6-3, 6-3 in 72 minutes. Medvedev controlled the quarter-final with his serve. The 6'6” 21-year-old dropped only eight service points (34/42).
“I'm really looking forward [to playing Medvedev]," said Fognini. "Once I'm here, of course I have to try to do my best and reach my goal of being in the final… He's a really young guy and he plays really good, so I have to be ready.”
Lorenzi had snapped a nine-match losing streak by defeating Aussie wild card Jordan Thompson on Sunday and top seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain on Wednesday.
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