The always entertaining Fabio Fognini played Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas in the 2nd round at the US Open. The unpredictability of Fognini's game would ensure anything and everything could happen in this match. Surprisingly, Fognini only had a slight dip of play at the beginning of the match before cruising to a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory in a little less than two hours.
Fognini's Grand Slam winning doubles skills were shown in the match as he won 15 of 19 net points. The flare of the 32nd-seeded Italian and variety of shot making gave many problems for Cuevas. Cuevas committed a foul 40 unforced errors in defeat.
Fognini goes on a tear after being down
Fognini would start the match on serve. Right off the bat, Cuevas would look to get ahead early as he forced a forehand error from the Italian to get the break. Cuevas would then emphatically hold for a 2-0 lead straight out the gate. Fognini would strike back with hold at love to get on the board. Cuevas would look to be in trouble on serve as 4 deuces were played but the Uruguayan stood his ground to gain a 3-1 lead.
It seemed as if Fognini's focus was off early on but things would quickly change. The Italian would hold at 15 to get it to 2-3. Cuevas's troubles would start as he would double fault the first 3 points on his serve to go down to a 0-40 deficit. Fognini would then break to even the match up at 3 a piece. Fognini would then hold after a big forehand winner. The Italian would keep on rolling as he easily broke Cuevas's serve to love to gain a 5-3 lead. Fognini then would hold at love to close the set at 6-3 after winning 5 straight games. The set lasted 27 minutes.
Fognini finds his groove
Starting the 2nd set Cuevas would look to start out well on serve. He would hold for a 1-0 lead. Fognini would get it 1-all after an impressive ace. Cuevas would then hold after a tightly contested game. Fognini would look to take complete control as he would hold to love.
Cuevas would then hold and Fognini would win a 2nd straight service game at love. The pivotal part of the second set would occur in 7th game as Cuevas was put on his heels with good play from Fognini. On ad-out Cuevas would be unable to keep it together as Fognini would get an important break. The Italian would follow it up with a hold and Cuevas would get a hold as well. At 5-4 Fognini would show no nerves as he closed out the 2nd set easily 6-4.
Fognini crosses the finish line
At the beginning of the 3rd set Fognini would try to ride his momentum in order to get a break on Cuevas's serve. After a close game Cuevas would manage a hold. Fognini would follow it up with great winners and an ace to even it up. Fognini would show his net skills as he would hit an aggressive forehand volley winner at 2-3 30-all. The set would be tied up 3-3.
Cuevas would not be able to turn around his woes as he would fall victim to another forehand winner by Fognini. Fognini would eventually break and then hold for a 5-3 lead. Cuevas would make Fognini close it out as he would hold serve to love. Fognini would feel pressure in the concluding game as he would get down a 0-40 deficit. It looked like Cuevas would be able to get the 3rd set to 5 a piece and possible push the match to a 4th set but the fiery Fognini would not be denied. Fognini would roar back to hold and close the match in style with 6-4 3rd set finish.
With the victory Fognini will appear in the 3rd round to face his rival Rafael Nadal.