Andy Murray made hard work of his match with Fabio Fognini on Centre Court as he won 6-2 4-6 6-1 7-5 in a dramatic contest.
At the beginning of the match Fognini’s court speed matched Murray’s big serving and hitting as both men grabbed early momentum. The Italian tried different tactics such as come to the net and try different spins on his forehand to move the Brit around the court. Murray and Fognini shared the first four games for 2-2. However Fognini started to let standards drop and on first break point in the sixth game the Brit capitalised. A forehand into the net sealed the Italian’s fate and Murray broke for a 4-2 lead. The World number one’s big serving got him out of trouble in the big moments and saved break point opportunities in the next game. He held for a 5-2 lead. Fognini’s concentration and hard work in the early stages had disappeared and a double fault sealed a break to love for Murray as he grabbed the first set 6-2.
In the second set the Italian started to produce the kind of tennis that fans expected of him. After his early break was cancelled out in the early stages, the 28th seed started to entertain and increase the level of his performance. He moved Murray around the court and started to test the troublesome hip of the Brit. The Italian reaped his rewards in the fifth game as on break point he broke Murray for a 3-2 lead. He was starting to move forward with his big hitting and served to the best of his ability. A dangerous Italian was taking over Centre Court and Fognini wrapped up the second set 6-4 to stun the British crowd.
Despite taking the second set, trouble was brewing for the Italian as he tweaked his ankle in the third game which caused him some distress in his service game. This allowed Murray to break and then hold for a comfortable 4-1 lead. Big serving and big forehands allowed him to gain confidence and hold a massive lead in the third set. It was clear to see the controversial Italian was struggling and frustrated, however Murray took advantage as he won the next two games to grab the third set 6-1.
The fourth set was unpredictable and tense. Fognini was given a point and game deduction for visual obscenity and the Italian’s passion was fired up. The Italian was playing some outstanding shots that had the defending champion bewildered. Murray was frustrated and a double fault handed the break to Fognini for a 4-2 lead in a tense and controversial match. His backhand was firing up the centre court and there was nothing the Brit could do and the Murray hip was getting a work out. However in the ninth game Fognini didn’t realise he didn’t have any challenges which lead to confusion. The Brit capitalise and broke back for 4-5. Murray had to save a fifth set point before levelling the set at 5-5. The two time champion was inspired as he won the next two games to wrap up the match in two hours and 40 minutes.
Andy Murray will now play Benoit Paire in the fourth round on Monday.
