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Walking on the Rainier III court at the Monte-Carlo Country Club to play Rafael Nadal is a daunting task. The Spaniard won 11 titles on the main court of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
On Saturday, the Italian Fabio Fognini was not scared. In fact, he says he played his chances at Nadal himself.
"With Rafa, it's always difficult," Fognini said. "I told him yesterday that I knew I could play against him. Sometimes I won, a few matches. A madman at the US Open and twice on clay. So I knew that I had nothing to lose because, of course, especially when we accompany it on clay, it is always very difficult.
After a superb session of one hour and 36 minutes, Fognini is in his first ATP Masters 1000 final. The Italian has ended Nadal's 25-game series in a row at Monte Carlo and 18 consecutive wins.
Fognini arrived at the event after losing seven of his previous eight games, including four consecutive clay courts. In the first round, Andrey Rublev took a 6-4, 4-1 lead over Fognini and had five chances to do it 5-1. But the Italian retaliated, and he has not looked back since.
"If you told me at the beginning of the week, I'll see you Sunday, I laugh at the throat. I was 6-4, 4-1 set back and five broken points, and I managed an ace on the line, "said Fognini. "But it's an amazing sport, so I was lucky. Now I'm in the final. And of course, I will look for the title tomorrow. "
Fognini arrived in the Principality effortlessly, trying to rebound after a disappointing defeat against Czech Jiri Vesely in Marrakech. A few days later, he is the first Italian finalist of Monte Carlo since Corrado Barazzutti (of Borg) in 1977.
"Fabio played an incredible match. He played so well. Rafa, it's Rafa … it's a fantastic result, "said ATP Tennis Radio, former Italian captain of the Davis Cup, Paolo Bertolucci. "We could not imagine that after Marrakech … But the sport is like that, something very important could change in a day and you can see your next match much more easily and start playing much better and finish Sunday. "
Listen to Paol Bertolucci's interview with ATP Tennis Radio:
It is a good place for the resurgence of Fognini, which lives only 45 minutes drive from the Monte Carlo Country Club. It is closer to his residence than the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, a Masters 1000 tournament organized in Rome.
"Today, playing against Rafa, even if you play in Italy, is really difficult," said Fognini with a smile. "I live very close and it's a great opportunity for them to come here and try to watch me play. So, I do not know tomorrow how much they will come, but it's not my problem. That's his problem. I hope that they will come, many people. "
Fognini's friends and family were able to support the 13th seed, including his wife, the 2015 US Open champion, Flavia Pennetta.
"It was an amazing day, he played really well, he was really consistent, very focused on the game." It was not easy to play today, a very windy day and Rafa made some mistakes , a few mistakes in important moments, "Pennetta told ATP Tennis Radio," It's not that usual for Rafa, but it was really hard to play today. " that Fabio also played very well yesterday with the wind, which is a guy who, in these conditions, plays really well. "
Listen to the ATP Tennis Radio interview with Flavia Pennetta:
The 31-year-old will meet Serbian Dusan Lajovic – who had never competed in the ATP final or passed the Masters 1000 quarter-final – to win the trophy. This is a great opportunity for both men, since it is the first Masters 1000 Championship match between two elite-level primal finalists since the Rolex Paris Masters 2017.
"I think it's the best time for him. He worked all his career to qualify for the finals at the best tournaments. This one is one of the best after the Grand Slam, "Pennetta said. "It's a very important day for both, because normally you face Rafa, Djokovic, Roger in the final. It's a great chance for both of you, so it will be a very emotional moment. "
"It's going to be really difficult. He has nothing to lose. I have nothing to lose. We start 50/50, "said Fognini. "Even if in the [ATP] Rankings, I am higher than him, I know I have to run a lot tomorrow.
Did you know?
Fognini is the fourth man to win three or more victories against Nadal on clay, following Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem and Gaston Gaudio.
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