Nadal Holds Off Fognini Fightback In Barcelona QFs

One year ago, Rafael Nadal was dealt a disappointing blow as he was beaten by Fabio Fognini in the Barcelona Open BancSabadell third round. But when the pair met on Friday in the quarter-finals in Barcelona, it was Nadal who came out on top, holding off a second-set revival from Fognini to prevail 6-2, 7-6(1).

The 29-year-old Nadal had also suffered a tough defeat to Fognini last year in the US Open third round, falling in five sets having led by two sets, but the Spaniard ensured there would be no more drama at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899, beating Fognini in one hour and 50 minutes.

Fognini almost pushed the match to a deciding set. The Italian led 5-3 in the second set, but failed to serve out in the 10^th game as Nadal broke back. Fognini halted Nadal’s growing momentum in the 12^th game as he rallied from 0/40 and saved three match points to force a tie-break, but Nadal ran away with the breaker, allowing Fognini just one point.

Nadal claimed his 46^th win at this ATP World Tour 500 clay-court tournament. The left-hander is bidding to reclaim the title he won eight times between 2005-09 and 2011-13. Up next will be either Andrey Kuznetsov or Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Nadal is back in full force on the clay and is looking to claim his second title in as many weeks after victory at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in Monte-Carlo (d. Monfils).