Watch as Fabio Fognini meets players from the Sydney FC ahead of his 2018 Sydney International semi-final match. Video courtesy Sydney International. Visit sydneyinternational.com.au for more video.
Playing with a confidence and maturity that belies his years, Australian Alex de Minaur continued his assault at the Sydney International on Thursday night. Under the guidance of Lleyton Hewitt, who, 20 years ago captured his first ATP World Tour crown as a 16-year-old in Adelaide, World No. 167 de Minaur put Spain’s Feliciano Lopez, a player twice the teenager’s age, to the sword 6-4, 6-4 in 86 minutes. “It was lots of fun,” said de Minaur, smiling. “I reckon it's probably my latest night I played, and it was great to play in front of such an energetic crowd – especially to play on your home court, it meant a lot for me to get that win.” The 18-year-old...
Watch highlights as Italian Fabio Fognini beats Adrian Mannarino of Spain for a semi-final berth at the Sydney International. Video courtesy Tennis Australia. Visit sydneyinternational.com.au for more video. Playback not available in Australia. Photo: Getty Images.
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...
Second seed Gilles Muller started his campaign to retain the Sydney International title on Wednesday with a gritty 7-6(5), 6-4 victory over Australian wild card John Millman. Muller, who was broken in the third game, saved two set points on Millman’s serve at 4-5 and later grew in confidence at the scene of his first ATP World Tour crown 12 months ago. The 34-year-old Luxembourg native broke for a 3-2 lead in the second set, and although he could not convert one match point at 5-3, with Millman serving at 40/30, minutes later he completed the one-hour and 36-minute victory. “I was looking forward for a long time to come back,” said Muller, afterwards. “I was very happy when I...
