Fabio Fognini and Benoit Paire reach their respective ATP World Tour finals. Fognini beat Roberto Bautista Agut 2-6 7-6(7) 7-6(5) while Paire cruised past Nikoloz Basilashvilli 6-1 7-6(5).
Third seed Fabio Fognini was the heavy favourite to reach his second ATP World Tour final as he had a 5-2 head-to-head record in his favour against top seed Roberto Bautista Agut. However, it was the Spaniard who had the better start in the first set as he looked clinical in breaking down Fognini’s serve. Bautista Agut broke the Italian twice as he clinched the first set 6-2 in 27 minutes.
The second set saw a tougher test for both men as they were equally tested on their service games. After a surviving a long service hold it was the Spaniard who continued his momentum as he broke in the fourth game for a 3-1 lead. However, that lit a spark in the Italian as some clever play saw Fognini break back in the next game. Both men held their save more comfortably and defended well as the second set went to a tiebreak. The Italian won the bigger points to take it 9-7.
The third set was a brutal battle for dominance as both players had lengthy service games to start with. Fognini had the only break point opportunity of the set in the second game as Bautista Agut was under pressure often on his service game. As a result the third set like the second went to a tiebreak. In a chaotic tiebreak, it was Fognini who took his chances better to win the tiebreak 7-5 and book his place into the final in St.Petersburg.
“It was a really tough match at the beginning,” said Fognini. “He was playing really fast and really solid at the same time. I’m really happy that I came back to win.”
The Italian will now play Damir Dzumhur in tomorrow’s final as he beat powerful German Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3 7-5. The Bosnian broke five times as he booked his place into his second ATP World Tour final.
In the other ATP World Tour event, Benoit Paire is into the final in his home country after defeating Nikoloz Basilashvilli 6-1 7-6(5). The controversial Frenchman started the match very well as he broke Basilashvilli three times to take the first set 6-1 in 16 minutes. The Georgian managed to create more opportunities in the second set, however he failed to convert any of his three break point opportunities. Paire managed to force a tiebreak after some good shotmaking. Paire won the tiebreak 7-5 to book his place into the final.
Paire will play German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk in the final who lead compatriot Mischa Zverev 6-4 1-0 before Zverev had to retire. It will be Gojowczyk’s first ATP World Tour final.
