Australia’s Bernard Tomic has won his first ATP title since 2015 after stunning top seed Fabio Fognini 6-1,3-6, 7-6(7), in the final of the Chengdu Open.
Tomic, who dropped down to as low as 243rd in the world in May, banished his recent demons on the tour with a thrilling win over his Italian rival. Hitting 12 aces and saving seven out of the 11 break points he faced. In total, he won just six more points than Fognini (107-101) in the entire match.
“I can’t describe. I haven’t won a tournament like this one for a couple of years.” An emotional Tomic said during his on-court interview.
“I was lucky. I think all week I have been lucky. I was supposed to lose in the second round of qualifying to Gerasimov. I was down 3-0, 4-0, in the tiebreaker. Then I was down in the first round on centre court. I was also down match points in the second round. I’ve played so well this week and I’m so happy that I won (the tournament).
“For me to play Fabio today was also really good.”
Playing in his first final since the 2016 Mexican Open, Tomic was initially tested during the early stages of the match. Successfully fending off a total of six break points during his first two service games. In contrast, a lacklustre Fognini struggled to control his unforced errors due to Tomic’s ability to mixed up the pace with the help of his slice during rallies. Enabling the Australian to clinch the opening set after just 28 minutes of play.
Fognini, who was bidding to become the first Italian player to win four ATP titles within a season, illustrated glimmers of his talent during set number two. Coming through a marathon serving game before breaking for a 3-1 lead. Unfortunately for the world No.13, he struggled to sustain that form to thwart the threat posed by a spirited Tomic as he rallied back to draw level at 3-3. Prompting a furious Fognini to be hit with a code violation after smashing his racket onto the ground out of anger.
https://twitter.com/doublefault28/status/1046333829726826497
Despite the setback, the Italian held his nerve to force the match into a decider. Breaking once more for a 5-3 lead with the help of a Tomic backhand error, before snatching the second set.
Heading into the decider, the momentum was very much in the favour of the Italian. Prior to the final, Fognini has rallied back from a set down 18 times this season. More than any other player on the men’s tour. Nevertheless, it was Tomic that came out on top during the roller coaster clash. After trading breaks of serve twice in the decider, the Australian then saved four match points in the tiebreaker. Doing so with some audacious play. Eventually he prevailed on his first match point opportunity with a forehand cross-court winner. Resulting in him collapsing onto the floor out of delight.
“This is a very special tournament and it is one of the nicest 250 tournaments. I always enjoy playing in China.” He said.
The win is Tomic’s first against a top 20 player since Kei Nishikori at the 2016 Cincinnati Open. He is now set to break back into the world’s top 75 when the rankings are updated on Monday. Making it the first time he has done so since July 2017.
