Rafael Nadal overcomes passionate crowd and Fabio Fognini in Rome

Rafael Nadal came from a set down to beat Fabio Fognini at the Italian Open.
With the boisterous crowd fully behind him, Italian hero Fognini won the opening set before top seed Nadal bounced back to secure a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory to move into his 10th semi-final in Rome.
Indomitable @RafaelNadal ??
The ?? of Clay rallies from a set down to defeat Fabio Fognini 4-6 6-1 6-2 and reaches his 10th #ibi18 semi-final. pic.twitter.com/P6TmrPO6s3
ā Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 18, 2018
The 16-time Grand Slam winner raced into a 4-1 lead in the first set, but Fognini found some extra energy as he won five consecutive games to take a one-set lead.
However, it was all Nadal in the second and third set.
“We both played well in the first set, good quality. I missed opportunities, made mistakes with the backhand, he was aggressive,” the Spaniard said after the match. “Couple of bad games, then I changed the way, became more aggressive.”
Nadal will face either Novak Djokovic or Kei Nishikori in the semi-final.
Marin Cilic also booked his place in the last four as he secured a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 victory over Pablo Carreno-Busta from Spain.
Too good! ??@cilic_marin defeats Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3 6-3 to reach his first Masters 1000 semi-final on clay! #ibi18 pic.twitter.com/0X4bDDaaDX
ā Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 18, 2018
The former US Open winner will face either second seed Alexander Zverev or the ninth-ranked David Goffin for a place in the final.
Latest
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz proofs French Open title credentials with dominant first-round victory
Carlos Alcaraz powers into the second round at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Alexander Zverev keeps French Open match short and sweet, but hopes to go from stable to winning titles
“Iām always somebody that likes to win, rather than be stable,” says Zverev.
-
Wimbledon
Cameron Norrie says Wimbledon will be ‘like an exhibition’ as he warns a few top players might not play
British No 1 has his say on consequences following decision to strip Wimbledon of ranking points.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon news: Former US Open champion says decision to strip major of ranking points ‘the correct one’
Sloane Stephens shares views on controversial move.
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz news: Top players to suffer if they’re to beat Spaniard at Roland Garros
He’s been unstoppable this season.
-
French Open
Red-hot Ons Jabeur stunned in opener at Roland Garros by world No 52 Magda Linette
Ons Jabeur stunned in Roland Garros opener.
-
French Open
Birthday boy Novak Djokovic looking to reset in the summer of ’22
Novak Djokovic is 35 today. This summer might just see him return to the top of his game after losing himself at the turn of the year.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal plays down Roland Garros favourite tag as ‘there are players that are in better shape’
Rafael Nadal cautiously optimistic ahead of Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Emma Raducanu news: John McEnroe doubtful Brit can go far in French Open
She has had a lot of injuries so far this season.
-
Wimbledon
Sergiy Stakhovsky news: Ukrainian rips into ATP’s Wimbledon decision
He’s really not happy about the decision.