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Flamboyant Italian Fabio Fognini produced a stunning comeback win over Rafael Nadal laced with 70 winners to reach the fourth round of the US Open in the early hours of Saturday morning in New York. In a pulsating match that finished around 1.30am, Fognini’s dazzling shot-making officially ended Nadal’s streak of winning at least one Grand Slam title a year for 10 straight years after the 3hr., 46 min., battle.
Nadal had been a perfect 151-0 at Grand Slam level after winning the first two sets, while Fognini’s record of winning from two sets down at the majors was 4-19.
Eighth-seeded Nadal looked to be cruising, leading two sets to love, before the Italian surged back to claim his third victory over the Spaniard this year 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in one of the best matches of the season.
It was a remarkable turnaround from Fognini. He had never beaten a Top 10 player on hard courts in 17 previous attempts.
After dropping the first two sets, Fognini turned in one of the most breathtaking shot-making displays of the year. He clubbed forehand and backhand winners from all parts of the court with exquisite timing that belied the amount of effort behind them. He also attacked the net regularly, winning 39 of 52 approaches.
In a rollercoaster final set, the players held their opening serves but then exchanged seven consecutive breaks before Fognini served out the match from 5-4. Earlier, in a pulsating eighth game of the set, Nadal rallied from 40/0 on Fognini's serve and ultimately saved four game points before leveling the set at 4-all. But Fognini responded with four clean winners to break the Spaniard to love.
Fognini claimed his third win from four meetings with Nadal in 2015. The Italian improved to a 10-9 career mark in fifth sets; Nadal slipped to 17-6. He next plays another Spanish left-hander, Feliciano Lopez.
Fognini said that his high-risk, high-reward strategy was needed to beat Nadal.
“Well, with Rafa you have to try that, because otherwise if you run -- he start running at the beginning and you finish at the end of the week. It's not easy. It is a really special win.
“If you want to play against him and if you want to do something different, you have to take risks. That's the only thing. Probably I make a lot of unforced errors, but it doesn't matter. You have to do that with a great player who runs a lot on the baseline.”
Nadal paid tribute to Fognini's shot-making. "He played great," Nadal said. "It was not a match that I lost, even if I had opportunities. It's a match that he won. So accept. I'm not happy that he played better than me, but that's what happened.
"I fought until the last point all the time, with a good attitude. But it was not enough to win today. I lost a couple of matches like that this year... I enjoyed the crowd. Was amazing support out there. Just a very special feeling to be out there with that support."

Q. 70 winners. It sounds crazy.

FABIO FOGNINI: Well, with Rafa you have to try that, because otherwise if you run -- he start running at the beginning and you finish at the end of the week. It's not easy. Right now I can't tell you something more because was something incredible that I did today, I think. Is a really special win about the No. 1 on clay and he won two times here. So really happy.

Q. What was the key to the match today for you?

FABIO FOGNINI: Well, I was starting to feel the ball really good, believe me. I lost that first set 6-3, but I was say in my mind, Okay, let's try, let's keeping working; do your tennis. I went down a break. After come back on 4-4, I went 40-Love on that game and I lost incredible game. So was my fault. Even if I come back from break down, I was say, Okay, let's try. But two sets to zero against Rafa, maybe you have to go to Lourdes. I went there tonight and everything was in a perfect way.

Q. You have beaten Rafa two times this year. Does it give you any confidence or belief?

FABIO FOGNINI: I mean, confidence or not confidence, you know if you want to play against him and if you want to do something different, you have to risk. That's the only thing. Probably I make a lot of unforced errors, but it doesn't matter. You have to do that with a great player that run a lot on the baseline. He's one of the best player in the world.

Q. Was there a moment in the third or fourth set where you thought you could win this match?

FABIO FOGNINI: No, was not a moment. I was saying, Okay, keep working and try to do your best. In my mind I was feeling the ball really well, especially at the end of the fourth set. I make that incredible game with the backhand cross-court down the line. I broke him on, I don't remember, but, you know, fifth set was something different. We play three, almost four hours; break back few times. I lost again incredible game on 4-3, 40-Love. On that game I think I went risk, but he was playing better than me. On the other hand, on 4-4 again I was -- was incredible match for sure. It's 2:00 in the morning. I am really tired in the moment. I try to recovery as best I can.

Q. We saw you play in Argentina singles and doubles for Davis Cup, winning both. You're a great doubles player. You attack the net very well. You attacked the net 54 times and 72% of those times you won the point. Why do you think you're not getting so good results on hard courts, attacking the net more, not defining the points not necessarily from the baseline?

FABIO FOGNINI: That's a good question. But, you know, there's the statistic. Even if we lost the doubles yesterday with the match point, I feel good on the net. I repeat again: with Rafa, you have to risk. You have to attack him when you have the chance. He is one of the best passing player in the world, if not the best. That's what I think I was doing really well tonight.

Q. You've beaten him three times this year. You never beat him before this year. You played great in those matches. What do you think about his level this year compared to before?

FABIO FOGNINI: That's your work. I don't care if he's play better or bad. Only thing, you have to win against him. It's never easy for sure. I beat him three times, but, you know, it's just statistic. I was saying three times, and all three times was something different on the game. Rio de Janeiro was 7-5 in the third and I was down set and break. I was playing really good in Barcelona with two set. I was playing really good also the final in Hamburg, even if I lost 7-5, 7-5. We played 2 hours and 40 minutes. It was a tough match. Yeah, tonight, yeah. Maybe the victory of tonight is something different for sure.

Q. It looked like you injured something. You were limping a little bit. What happened? You were obviously able to recover.

FABIO FOGNINI: I hope, yeah, to recovery really well. I was a little bit tired sometimes. You know, when you start thinking with Rafa it's always difficult. Especially the fifth set when I went a break up three times, four times, I would say, Wow, I'm break up, so I have to do something different. But he pushing all the time. Like try the best as you can.

Q. Ahead of the US Open you had a fairly rough year on the hard courts. Did you change anything?

FABIO FOGNINI: I mean, I start really bad the season. I was starting really bad at the beginning in Australia. I play well on clay on the second month of the year. I play really bad another time on Indian Wells and Miami. But, you know, I was saying the first day that I came here, after play again really good on clay with the final against Rafa and two quarterfinal, I was feeling really well. I been playing really good, feeling on court really well. I play only two matches, that's true. I play Monfils and I play Kokkinakis, but in two different way, for sure. For sure with Kokkinakis I play high level, even if I lost. With Monfils I play really good the first set, 0-6, breakpoint won. Second set I was really tired because I was coming directly to Europe. After Cincinnati I take two day off, recovery, start practice really hard four, five day of the week. I'm here for the first time in the fourth round.

Q. The argument that you have with Rafael Nadal in Hamburg this year, did it have an impact on your mind?

FABIO FOGNINI: It's not important.

Q. How tough was the match?

FABIO FOGNINI: It was tough, for sure. Even if I lost three set, I think the first two set I had my chance. Especially at the beginning of the match on 15-40. When I lost the serve, he broke my serve like really stupid game. I missed two forehand. Of course, I have to be honest, with this kind of player you have to be more solid. I think especially today my forehand was not working really well, when it was helping me during the whole week. But, you know, I had my chance for sure, especially first and second set. But, you know, was different match than the last three match that I play. He was the only player that he play like this. Yeah, I mean, I was feeling the ball not really bad, but after two set, especially at the beginning, also the third one when I broke another time, I went to the net twice and missed two points, everything was going the bad way. But another time I went 3-1 down, Love-30, and he is one of the best servers in the circuit. So he was really, how you can say, really solid on that game also because he was serving really well, especially on advantage. I have to accept that. It's big point that he have, it's the service. But in general I'm happy. Of course, I'm not happy because I lost, but I'm happy about my game.

Q. Was there much of a letdown after such an emotional high of the last match?

FABIO FOGNINI: Yeah, for sure. I mean, if I have to tell you something, for sure today I was much tired than yesterday. Yesterday I was feeling good. I would say, Okay, let's try. But tonight and this morning I wake up really, really not bad, but bad sensation. I was feeling my shoulder, my knee. Everything almost. But I think is normal. I'm happy to play the fourth round. I have to be happy, of course, because I won three good matches. Hopefully I going to repeat this one on the future.

Q. How do you think the match turned around? What was the main turning point?
FABIO FOGNINI: Yeah, I was trying to explain that there is two different part of the match. The first one is that I play really good the first I mean, they were matches, if we can say they were matches. I'm mad because of course I lost so I'm not happy. But, you know, it's 6 3, 7 6. We stop when I was break down on the third.
I mean, I was in the locker room, okay, happy but at the same time I was saying to my coach and my physio that I would like to continue the match because I was feeling really good inside the court when I was playing backhand, forehand, return, whatever.
So I was a bit unlucky, you know, but five days in a row to finish the second round was something crazy. But, you know, the same time I'm happy because I think I played another time or a great level of tennis. This is what I I go home with that.
Q. Feli was a bit upset with your coach and told us that he told him something. Is that the first time you have ever been in a situation where your opponent...
FABIO FOGNINI: No comment.

Italian to play in 11th ATP World Tour final in Umag
Fabio Fognini looks to add to his trophy cabinet when he faces Andrej Martin in the final of the Konzum Croatia Open Umag on Sunday. But since hoisting his last ATP World Tour title, in Vina del Mar two years ago, a lot has changed.
Last month, Fabio Fognini wed former WTA player Flavia Pennetta in a lavish ceremony in Ostuni, Italy.
"It was a super happy moment,” he told ATPWorldtour.com in an exclusive interview. “I think Flavia was a little more nervous than me, but I remember we had a really nice day and the party was very good. The memory of that day is precious to us and it's something that I will remember all my life.
"I feel very fortunate to have Flavia by my side. She knows better than anyone all the work that goes with tennis, she understands when you need some time. The truth is that she is a huge help.”
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After some time away from action due to injuries, Fognini says "Now I am happy and I'm working well again. Like with everything in life, finding this consistency requires a process and I think it will take a little while. But I feel good on and off the court, so I hope I can finish the season well.
"I have to accept it, know that this is a difficult year. I have to keep fighting and battling and we'll see where it gets me by the end of the year.”
Now a refocused and healthy Fognini plays in his 11th tour-level final, bidding for his fourth crown (2013 Stuttgart, ‘13 Hamburg, ’14 Vina del Mar).
"Since my wedding I've had a little more stability. I wanted to disconnect and get back to training hard. It always pays off… I know that hard work will deliver."

Italian beats unseeded Andrej Martin for fourth ATP World Tour title
Fabio Fognini defeated Andrej Martin 6-4, 6-1 for the Konzum Croatia Open Umag title, his fourth ATP World Tour crown on Sunday. The Italian improved his final record to 4-7, adding to his trophy cabinet, which includes 2014 Vina del Mar, ’13 Hamburg and ’13 Stuttgart.
The 29-year-old Fognini is the first Italian winner in tournament history (since 1990). He previously reached the final in Umag in 2013 (l. to Robredo). As winner he earned 250 Emirates ATP Rankings points and €82,450 in prize money.
"I have to be happy," said Fognini. "A title is always a title. It was a great week of tennis."
Martin did well to erase a break point in his first service game to hold for 1-1. Again in the eighth game, Martin faced break points but held his nerve once more to hold for 4-4. Fognini broke Martin for the first set, 6-4, when the Slovakian sent a forehand wide.
With Croatia’s President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović looking on, the second set momentum continued in the direction of the fourth seed as Fognini raced to a 5-0 lead. Martin managed to win one game before the Italian served out the match at love and claimed victory after 68 minutes with an ace.
"Both players had nothing to lose," said Fognini. "For me there was everything to win because I was the favourite. I think I improved my game in the second set."
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Slovakian Andrej Martin, who saved five match points to beat compatriot Martin Klizan in the second round, was appearing in his first tour-level final and attempting to become the sixth first-time champion this season. As runner-up he takes home €43,430 and 150 points.
"Right now, it doesn't feel so good, but over time I will appreciate what I did this week,” said Martin. “For me, it's been a great experience."