Rome — Fabio Fognini torrent fellow 35 years old Andy Murray In a nearly three-hour battle in the opening round of the Italian Open on Wednesday.
Granted a wild card entry after a month out with an injured foot, Fognini hit more winners than doubled against Murray (49–24) in a 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 win at Campo Central.
Murray was coming off his first title in three years after winning an ATP Challenger event in southern France at the weekend for his first tournament win since 2019 – and first on clay since 2016.
But Fognini’s clever shot-making proved the difference as the Italian produced a series of drop-shot winners that were so effective that Murray did not even attempt to bring him down.
Murray was also upset after protesting a linesman’s call late in the first set, giving Fognini a 5–3 advantage. Murray pointed to the mark on the red clay and told the chair umpire that it was clearly out.
“How can you see that ball going in? How is that possible?” Murray said. “You know you’re wrong.”
After the match ended, Murray had more words for the chair umpire, while Fognini wrote on the camera lens, “It’s not over.”
“I still love playing these types of matches,” said Fognini, who improved to 5-4 in his career against 2016 champion Murray in Rome.
another veteran who was previously advanced stan wawrinkaWho wasted little time to win 6-2, 6-4 Ilya Ivashka The start of play was delayed by 90 minutes due to rain.
At 38, Wawrinka is the oldest man in the tournament, but he finished it in less than an hour, dominating Ivashka as well as hitting more than twice as many winners as his opponent.
Wawrinka, who will have two surgeries and two operations on his left foot in 2021, said, “This year I am playing much better, but I need to win more matches. That’s what I’m missing, the confidence to win more matches.” ” on his left knee in 2017. “But in general the level is very good.”
Three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka’s next match is with the 26th seeded player Grigor DimitrovWith the winner likely to meet the top-ranked Novak Djokovik In the third round.
Wawrinka said, “My dream is to win another trophy, another tournament.” “Of course as I get older, it is becoming more and more difficult. The passion and love for the sport is still there, so I push myself.”
Will open against Djokovic who got a bye in the first round Tomas Martin Echeverriwho registered a 7-6 (7), 6-3 win over the 18-year-old luca van ascheThe youngest player in the top 100 of the rankings is at number 85.
Etcheverry reached clay finals in Santiago, Chile and Houston earlier this year.
marching even on the red soil of the Foro Italico Alexander Bublik, Christian Garin, Marton Fuksovics And Sebastian Baez,
Australian qualifier thanasi kokkinakis was leading Joume Munar 4–2 up in the first set when his Spanish opponent retired due to lower back pain.
Kokkinakis will next face local strongman genetic sinner,
arthur filsAnother rising French 18-year-old beat fellow qualifier juan manuel cerundolo setting up a meeting with 6-1, 1-6, 6-4, for his first Masters 1000 win holger rune,
China’s Wu Yibing beats French veteran Richard Gasquet 3–6, 6–3, 6–3 for his first Tour win on clay.
in women’s behavior, Lesia Surenko two-time champion eliminated alina svitolina In the all-Ukrainian matchup.
Sloane Stephens Beat Nadia Podoroska 6-4, 6-1 and see the next 14th seed Victoria Azarenka,
