Fognini Holds On For Moscow Final Berth

Fabio Fognini held off a late challenge from Philipp Kohlschreiber to advance to the final of the VTB Kremlin Cup 6-1, 7-6(2). The Italian is into his second ATP World Tour hard-court final, having lost in St. Petersburg to Martin Klizan four years ago. All four of Fognini’s tour-level titles have come on clay.

“It’s always difficult after you win a set 6-1 to keep playing at such a high level,” Fognini said. “Against him it’s always difficult because he’s really good in every part of the game. I’m very happy and hopefully I can win the title tomorrow.”

Fognini will face Pablo Carreno Busta, who won 80 per cent of first-serve points in taking out Stephane Robert 6-3, 7-6(2). Both contestants in the semi-final match are enjoying career years. Robert could crack the Top 50 of the Emirates ATP Rankings as a 36 year old, while Carreno Busta, who won his first ATP World Tour title at the Winston-Salem Open, is into his fourth tour-level final in 2016.

“I didn’t really feel good on the court today, but the most important thing in a semi-final is to win and go into the final,” Carreno Busta said. “I will need to play better tomorrow. Fabio is a good player.”

Doubles Final Set

Austrians Julian Knowle and Jurgen Melzer defeated Russian #NextGen players Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev 7-6(3), 3-6, 10-2 to reach the final. Melzer is the only active player other than Radek Stepanek to own 300 wins in both singles and doubles. Knowle/Melzer will face Barclays ATP World Tour Finals hopefuls Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah for the title.