Fucsovics Rallies To Reach Sofia Final

Marton Fucsovics advanced to his second tour-level championship match on Saturday, beating Matteo Berrettini 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 at the Sofia Open.

The 27-year-old, who improves to 6-3 this year, saved six of seven break points and withstood 10 aces from his opponent to advance. Fucsovics had held two set points in the 10th game of the opening set, but recovered well to reach the championship match after two hours and 16 minutes.

The World No. 47 will meet third seed Daniil Medvedev or seventh-seeded Gael Monfils as he aims to lift his second ATP Tour title. Last year, Fucsovics triumphed in Geneva to become the first man from his nation to claim an ATP Tour crown since Balazs Taroczy in 1982. The Hungarian lost his only previous FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting against Medevedev in three sets at the 2018 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters and is yet to meet Monfils at tour-level.

After failing to convert a total of five break points in back-to-back return games, Berrettini found himself down two set points serving at 4-5 in the first set. But, under pressure, the Italian increased his forehand aggression and attacked Fucsovics’ forehand side to turn the tables on his opponent, winning three straight games to claim the opener after 53 minutes.

Berrettini was punished for his inability to find the target with a backhand down the line at 4-4 (30/40) in the second set, as Fucsovics soon fired back-to-back forehand winners at 5-6 (30/30) to level the match. The Hungarian then rode the momentum into the decider, establishing a 3-0 lead before converting his first match point.

Berrettini was also aiming to reach his second ATP Tour championship match. The 22-year-old Italian lifted his first trophy last July in Gstaad, holding each of his 49 service games en route to the title.