It all looked so good for Chile’s Nicolas Jarry. The 22 year-old won the first set of the Sao Paulo but the match was dominated from that point by Italy’s Fabio Fognini, who went on to win 1-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Jarry started well, winning six of the first seven games as the unpredictable Fognini made an inconsistent start. Jarry had had tough matches to get to the final however. Having spent more than eight hours on court in reaching the final, Jarry tired and Fognini, gradually at first, and then more assertively, took control of the match.
Breaking early in the second, Fognini fended off five break points for the 6’6 Jarry before holding. Jarry would then only win one of the next five games as Fognini levelled up.
Fognini made it eight games from the last nine by racing into an early lead into the third. Jarry then surprised everyone by breaking back in the fourth game of the decider.
The comeback did not last however, as Fognini retook the lead in the seventh game. This time the Italian would not rescind it, as he held his final two service games to take the title.
“He started very well and I had to wait a bit for his serve to calm down,” Fognini said.“I’ve always played well in Sao Paulo and never been able to win so I’m very happy.”
The title win consolidates Fognini’s return to the Top 20, which he had achieved this week. Winning in Sao Paulo represents his first title since winning in Gstaad in 2017, and is his sixth career title overall.
Jarry was playing in his first ATP 250 final, and will move up to around No.60 in the ATP rankings. Jarry has played well in the recent clay events, with a quarter-final in Quito and a semi-final in Rio de Janeiro before his run this week.
Sao Paulo marks the end of the spring run of clay events on the ATP tour in South American for 2018. The tour now moves to the United States and the Sunshine Double, ATP Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami.
