Fabio Fognini came back from one set down to beat Alexander Bublik 4-6 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-5) at the Moselle Open in Metz to reach his first quarter final of the season.
Bublik opened a 4-1 lead with two breaks of serve in the first and fifth games. Fognini pulled one break back in the eighth game for 3-5. Bublik served out 6-4 on his first set point.
Bublik saved five break points in the eighth game of the second set to hold serve. Bublik broke serve in the 11th game to take a 6-5 lead. Fognini broke back in the 12th game to draw level to 6-6.
Fognini saved two match points at 5-6 and 6-7 to win the tie-break of the second set 9-7.
Fognini went up a break in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. Bublik broke back in the 10th game to draw level to 5-5. Fognini earned a mini-break lead three times. Bublik pulled back on serve each time before Fognini sealed the win on his first match point after 2 hours and 53 minutes.
Fognini set up a quarter final against defending champion Lorenzo Sonego, who beat Abedallah Shelbayh 6-3 7-5. Sonego earned the first break in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead. Shelbayh earned a break point in the seventh game, but Sonego saved it. Shelbayh saved a set point in the eighth game to hold serve at deuce for 3-5. Sonego sealed the win on his third set point. Sonego has already reached three quarter finals this season in Montpellier, Dubai and Umag.
Luca Van Assche advanced to his second quarter final of the seas after Stan Wawrinka was forced to retire at the second set at 3-6 7-6 (8-6). Van Assche saved two match points in the second set.
