Nadal overcomes crowd and Fognini to reach Rome semifinals

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images

ROME (AP) — Seven-time champion Rafael Nadal overcame a poor first set and a partisan crowd to beat Fabio Fognini 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 and reach the Italian Open semifinals on Friday. The crowd at the Foro Italico was decidedly behind Fognini, Italy's top player, and Nadal was under pressure when Fognini won five straight games to cancel out a 4-1 deficit and win the opening set. But Fognini couldn't keep up with Nadal's consistency and heavy topspin on the red clay court and eventually was physically worn down. Fognini had tape applied under his left knee while trailing 3-2 in the third set due to an apparent physical problem. For a spot in the final, Nadal will play four-time Rome champion Novak Djokovic

Continue reading...