Top seed Fabio Fognini has been knocked out on the Los Cabos Open in straight sets by America’s Taylor Fritz.
Fognini, who won the tournament 12 months ago, went out 6-1, 7-6(1), to the in-form fifth seed. Dropping his serve twice during the first set and failing to convert all five of his break point opportunities. Midway through the match, Fognini has strapping placed on his left foot and ankle. The Italian is yet to contest a final on the ATP Tour since winning the Monte Carlo Open back in April.
The victory continues Fritz’s recent surge in form. Within the past two months, the American won the Eastbourne International before reaching the final in Atlanta last week. Overall, he has won 12 out of his past 14 matches.
“I think I’m playing my best tennis. I’ve found a level of consistency where it’s still pretty high even when I’m not playing my best,” Fritz told atptour.com. “This is what I train for. All the stuff I do in the gym and on the practice court is way harder than anything that could be replicated in a match.”
Fritz’s win means that Fognini will be overtaken by Kevin Anderson in the world rankings on Monday and leave the top 10 after spending seven weeks inside it. Earlier this year he became the oldest player to make his top 10 debut since 1972 at the age of 32.
Awaiting Fritz in the semi-finals will be Moldova’s Radu Albot. The seventh seed eased his way to a 6-3, 6-3, win over Thanasi Kokkinakis. Booking a place in the last four of an ATP tournament for the fourth time this season.
There was better news for Argentina’s Guido Pella. The second seed fought back from a set down to defeat South Korea’s Kwon Soon-woo 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Dropping just seven points behind his first serve during the last two sets of the match.
“I never had an opponent who hit the ball so hard, it dislodged me; I was loose because I had nothing to lose, but I could win.” El Clarin quoted Pella as saying after the win.
Pella will play compatriot Diego Schwartzman next. Who crushed Mikhail Kukushkin 6-1, 6-2. An Argentinian player is yet to win the Los Cabos Open.
The semi-final matches will take place on Friday.
