ATP Rio: Fabio Fognini does hard work
Fabio Fognini has reached the quarterfinals of the ATP Tour 500 tournament in Rio de Janeiro after beating Pablo Carreno Busta in a marathon. After that, Fognini went one better in doubles with Simone Bolelli.
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Feb 17, 2022, 07:23 am
Only Diego Schwartzman was in a hurry on Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro: The Argentinian, who was third seeded, defeated Pedro Martinez 6-1 and 6-1 and easily made it into the last eight. Otherwise, however, players and spectators had to show a lot of patience and stamina at the traditional 500 in the Brazilian metropolis. And most of all Fabio Fognini: The Italian old master initially needed more than three hours of play to assert himself against Pablo Carreno Busta 5: 7, 6: 4 and 6: 3. It was only Fognini's second win in his ninth duel with the Spaniard.
The 34-year-old was then allowed to play again: Together with Simone Bolelli, Fognini beat fourth-placed pair Ariel Behar and Gonzalo Escbar 7: 6 (6) and 6: 2.
Berrettini and Ruud are playing today
In singles, Fognini will play against Federico Coria in the quarter-finals on Friday, who also had to go the full distance against Fernando Verdasco in a 7: 6 (2), 4: 6 and 6: 4. Diego Schwartzman meets Pablo Andujar, who played his entry fee against Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the round of 16: Andujar, like Fognini also involved in doubles and his second-round opponent there, won 7: 5, 5: 7 and 6: 3.
The two tournament favourites, Matteo Berrettini and Casper Ruud, only get involved today after a bye. Berrettini has to play against local hero Thiago Monteiro, Ruud plays against Francisco Cerundolo.