Fabio Fognini edged out Fernando Verdasco 6-1 4-6 7-5 in 2 hours and 17 minutes to set up a final with Richard Gasquet in Bastad.
The Italian raced through the first set in 26 minutes playing some aggressive tennis as well as taking his opportunities against an average Verdasco. The world number 15 broke three times to seal an impressive first set as his Spanish opponent had to repair his game quickly.
The second set was much better from Verdasco as his forehand was working much more effectively against the higher ranked Italian. His big hitting saw him break three times during the course of the second set as Fognini grew more and more frustrated at the way he was handing the set to the Spaniard. The world number 33 took advantage of the Italian’s mistakes as he grabbed the second set, which saw Fognini smash his racket:
(🎥@TennisTV ) pic.twitter.com/ZYyDafAO01
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) July 21, 2018
The final set contained some high quality tennis as both men produced some of their best tennis of the match. Neither player wanted to give their opponent the full advantage because as soon as one player had broke, the other player broke straight back in what was turning into a classic match.
Despite some Fognini controversy in the final set, the Italian eventually found the keys to success as a long game resulted in the third seed breaking serve on his second match point to secure victory in just under 2 hours and 20 minutes.
It was a very good effort from both players but in the end it was the Italian who reaches his second final of 2018, in what has been a very good season for Fognini. The controversial Italian will now play Richard Gasquet in the final after the Frenchman overcame Lucky Loser, Henri Laaksonen 6-2 6-3. The fourth seed broke four times as he completed victory in one hour and 12 minutes.
Tomorrow’s finalists have met on three occasions with Gasquet leading the head to head 2-1 although the Italian has won their only clay court meeting. It should be a good final, with lots of stunning rallies as both men possess a lot of weapons. Both men will be aiming to win their second title of the season.
