<p>Wimbledon 2025 is underway in England but so is English summer - which is getting hotter every year with climate change. On the first day (Jun 30), defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was in action and the match stretched beyond four hours - making it difficult for the fans at Centre Court. During the match, one of the fans felt uneasy because of the prevailing weather condition and Alcaraz stopped mid-match to tend to the fan. The Spaniard grabbed a water bottle from one of the attendants and offered it to the fan - giving Wimbledon 2025 one of its vert first heart-warming moments.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Watch</strong> - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-watch-fognini-askes-for-a-alcaraz-signed-tshirt-after-losing-in-five-sets-gesture-wins-million-hearts-1751360313036">Wimbledon 2025: Fognini goes down fighting against Alcaraz but his gesture wins a million hearts</a></p><h2>Alcaraz offers water to fan mid-match at Wimbledon</h2>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLiRY2ISqj4/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLiRY2ISqj4/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLiRY2ISqj4/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Wimbledon (@wimbledon)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

<p>The win, however, didn't come easy for Alcaraz as Fognini took him to five sets to give the defending champion an early scare. The two-time defending champion eventually won 7-5, 6(5)-7(7), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. After the win, he acknowledged Fognini's efforts and led the crowd for a round of applause for the fight shown by the Italian. Have a look at the video below:</p>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLiWxL3y_0W/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLiWxL3y_0W/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLiWxL3y_0W/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Wimbledon (@wimbledon)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

<p>Alcaraz came into the contest as a clear favorite and on the back of his successful French Open defence. Fognini, however, gave the Spaniard a good fight but Alcaraz won the first set 7-5. The Italian did one better in the second set by taking it in the tie-break and eventually winning it.</p><p>Alcaraz again fought tooth and nail to win the third set before Fognini won the fourth won rather easily. In the final and decisive set, Fognini seemed out of breath and ran out of steam as Alcaraz won it 6-1 to take the match. The win once again highlights the Spaniard's extreme physical and mental strength as visible in French Open 2025 final not so long ago when he saved three tournament points in the fourth set against Jannik Sinner to eventually win the title in an epic five-set thriller.</p><p>He is bidding to become the fifth man in the Open Era to win at least three consecutive Wimbledon titles after seven-time champion Djokovic, Bjorn Borg, Roger Federer and Pete Sampras.</p>

The win, however, didn't come easy for Alcaraz as Fognini took him to five sets to give the defending champion an early scare. The two-time defending champion eventually won 7-5, 6(5)-7(7), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1.

Wimbledon 2025 is underway in England but so is English summer - which is getting hotter every year with climate change. On the first day (Jun 30), defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was in action and the match stretched beyond four hours - making it difficult for the fans at Centre Court. During the match, one of the fans felt uneasy because of the prevailing weather condition and Alcaraz stopped mid-match to tend to the fan. The Spaniard grabbed a water bottle from one of the attendants and offered it to the fan - giving Wimbledon 2025 one of its vert first heart-warming moments. Also Watch - Wimbledon 2025: Fognini goes down fighting against Alcaraz but his gesture wins a million hearts Alcaraz offers water to fan mid-match at Wimbledon

<p>The win, however, didn't come easy for Alcaraz as Fognini took him to five sets to give the defending champion an early scare. The two-time defending champion eventually won 7-5, 6(5)-7(7), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1.</p>

Wimbledon 2025: Alcaraz stops mid-match to offer water to fan, leads crowd to applause Fognini after win - WATCH

<p>Carlos Alcaraz started his Wimbledon defence on Monday (Jun 30) with a win against Fabio Fognini and sailed into the second round. The win, however, didn't come easy as Fognini took Alcaraz to five sets to give the defending champion an early scare. Alcaraz eventually won 7-5, 6(5)-7(7), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 but Fognini's gesture despite the loss won a million hearts. The Italian, after the loss, asked Alcaraz for a signed shirt for his son. "Can I have your t-shirt for my son Federico," Fognini was seen asked Alcaraz in a video shared by Wimbledon's official X handle.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“For Federico” 🥹<a href="https://twitter.com/fabiofogna?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fabiofogna</a> asked Carlos for his shirt to give to his son, who is a huge Alcaraz fan 💜<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wimbledon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wimbledon</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hkns7rIx4G">pic.twitter.com/Hkns7rIx4G</a></p>&mdash; Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) <a href="https://twitter.com/Wimbledon/status/1939876223951495594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>As for the match, Alcaraz came into the contest as a clear favorite and on the back of his successful French Open defence. Fognini, however, gave the Spaniard a good fight but Alcaraz won the first set 7-5. The Italian did one better in the second set by taking it in the tie-break and eventually winning it.</p><p><strong>Also Read -</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/16-year-old-son-rocky-breaks-father-and-former-england-all-rounder-andrew-flintoff-27-year-old-record-1751352729142">16-year-old son Rocky breaks father and former England all-rounder's 27-year-old record</a></p><p>Alcaraz again fought tooth and nail to win the third set before Fognini won the fourth won rather easily. In the final and decisive set, Fognini seemed out of breath and ran out of steam as Alcaraz won it 6-1 to take the match. The win once again highlights the Spaniard's extreme physical and mental strength as visible in French Open 2025 final not so long ago when he saved three tournament points in the fourth set against Jannik Sinner to eventually win the title in an epic five-set thriller.</p><p>It was first time since Roger Federer narrowly beat Alejandro Falla in 2010 that a defending champion had been taken to a fifth set in the Wimbledon first round.</p><p>He is bidding to become the fifth man in the Open Era to win at least three consecutive Wimbledon titles after seven-time champion Djokovic, Bjorn Borg, Roger Federer and Pete Sampras.</p>

It was first time since Roger Federer narrowly beat Alejandro Falla in 2010 that a defending champion had been taken to a fifth set in the Wimbledon first round.

Carlos Alcaraz started his Wimbledon defence on Monday (Jun 30) with a win against Fabio Fognini and sailed into the second round. The win, however, didn't come easy as Fognini took Alcaraz to five sets to give the defending champion an early scare. Alcaraz eventually won 7-5, 6(5)-7(7), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 but Fognini's gesture despite the loss won a million hearts. The Italian, after the loss, asked Alcaraz for a signed shirt for his son. "Can I have your t-shirt for my son Federico," Fognini was seen asked Alcaraz in a video shared by Wimbledon's official X handle.

<p>It was first time since Roger Federer narrowly beat Alejandro Falla in 2010 that a defending champion had been taken to a fifth set in the Wimbledon first round.</p>

Wimbledon 2025: Fognini goes down fighting against Alcaraz but his gesture wins a million hearts - WATCH

<p>Fabio Fognini edged out Andy Murray in a battle of veteran tennis dads to reach the Italian Open second round on Wednesday. Fognini, ranked outside of the top 100 for the first time in 14 years, came through 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 against his fellow 35-year-old.</p>

<p>Former number seven Fognini delighted his home crowd with a controlled final set serving display in which he conceded just three points. It was his fifth win in nine career meetings with Murray but just his third on the tour in 2023. The Italian maverick, like Murray a father of three, fired 46 winners past the former world number one and three-time major winner in a first round tie which stretched to almost three hours.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/madrid-open-sexism-row-from-silencing-women-finalists-cake-gate-to-controversial-ball-girls-outfits-590880">Madrid Open sexism row: From silencing women finalists, cake gate to controversial ball girl outfits</a></p>

<p>"For sure I'm happy because coming back from injury is never easy, especially at our age. But winning here in Rome against a really big player like Andy," said Fognini, who has been troubled by a foot injury. "Now it's important to recover. It's going to be tricky and a nice question to my mind if I will recover well. But I just want to enjoy this night and going home with this victory."</p>

<p>Next up for Fognini is a clash with Miomir Kecmanovic while 42nd-ranked Murray, the 2016 champion in Rome, licks his wounds after celebrating his first title since 2019 at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger on Sunday.</p>

<p>Novak Djokovic will begin his bid to retain the Italian Open title against Tomas Etcheverry after the 61st-ranked Argentine beat Luca Van Assche of France in the first round 7-6 (9/7), 6-3. Djokovic comes into the tournament he has won six times recovering from an elbow injury and set to lose top spot in the world rankings to Carlos Alcaraz.</p>

<p>Alcaraz just needs to play a match in the Italian capital to return to the world number one ranking ahead of the French Open which starts later this month.</p>

<p>Djokovic won his record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January. However, he missed the American hard-court swing in March due to his refusal to be vaccinated.</p>

<p>The 35-year-old has endured a tough start to the European clay-court season, being eliminated in the last 16 at the Monte Carlo Masters, in the quarter-finals at Banja Luka and then pulling out of Madrid.</p>

<p><strong>- Wawrinka advances -</strong></p>

<p>Veteran Stan Wawrinka will face 26th seed Grigor Dimitrov in the last 64, the three-time Grand Slam winner easing past Ilya Ivashka 6-4, 6-2. Wawrinka, 38, and playing in the Italian capital for the 18th time, hit 26 winners and saved the one break point he faced.</p>

<p>"I was ready for it. I am playing well. It was a good first match and I am really happy to get through again," said Wawrinka, who was runner-up to Djokovic in Rome in 2008.</p>

<p>The former world number three now down at 84 in the rankings added: "I have been working hard to get to this level. This year I am playing much better, but I need to win more matches."</p>


Fabio Fognini edged out Andy Murray in a battle of veteran tennis dads to reach the Italian Open second round on Wednesday. Fognini, ranked outside of the top 100 for the first time in 14 years, came through 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 against his fellow 35-year-old.

Fabio Fognini edged out Andy Murray in a battle of veteran tennis dads to reach the Italian Open second round on Wednesday. Fognini, ranked outside of the top 100 for the first time in 14 years, came through 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 against his fellow 35-year-old. Former number seven Fognini delighted his home crowd with a controlled final set serving display in which he conceded just three points. It was his fifth win in nine career meetings with Murray but just his third on the tour in 2023. The Italian maverick, like Murray a father of three, fired 46 winners past the former world number one and three-time major winner in a first round tie which stretched to almost three hours. ALSO READ: Madrid Open sexism row: From silencing women finalists, cake gate to controversial ball girl outfits "For sure I'm happy because coming back from injury is never easy, especially at our age. But winning here in Rome against a really big player like Andy," said Fognini, who has been troubled by a foot injury. "Now it's important to recover. It's going to be tricky and a nice question to my mind if I will recover well. But I just want to enjoy this night and going home with this victory." Next up for Fognini is a clash with Miomir Kecmanovic while 42nd-ranked Murray, the 2016 champion in Rome, licks his wounds after celebrating his first title since 2019 at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger on Sunday. Novak Djokovic will begin his bid to retain the Italian Open title against Tomas Etcheverry after the 61st-ranked Argentine beat Luca Van Assche of France in the first round 7-6 (9/7), 6-3. Djokovic comes into the tournament he has won six times recovering from an elbow injury and set to lose top spot in the world rankings to Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz just needs to play a match in the Italian capital to return to the world number one ranking ahead of the French Open which starts later this month. Djokovic won his record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January. However, he missed the American hard-court swing in March due to his refusal to be vaccinated. The 35-year-old has endured a tough start to the European clay-court season, being eliminated in the last 16 at the Monte Carlo Masters, in the quarter-finals at Banja Luka and then pulling out of Madrid. - Wawrinka advances - Veteran Stan Wawrinka will face 26th seed Grigor Dimitrov in the last 64, the three-time Grand Slam winner easing past Ilya Ivashka 6-4, 6-2. Wawrinka, 38, and playing in the Italian capital for the 18th time, hit 26 winners and saved the one break point he faced. "I was ready for it. I am playing well. It was a good first match and I am really happy to get through again," said Wawrinka, who was runner-up to Djokovic in Rome in 2008. The former world number three now down at 84 in the rankings added: "I have been working hard to get to this level. This year I am playing much better, but I need to win more matches."

Italian Open: Former world number 7 Fabio Fognini beats Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic to face Tomas Etcheverry

<p>Rafa Nadal overcame a horrid start and a bloody nose to beat Fabio Fognini 2-6 6-4 6-2 6-1 and reach the third round of the U.S Open on Thursday.</p>

<p>The veteran Italian came out flying to build a set and a 4-2 lead as Nadal struggled to find a rhythm, raising the possibility of an upset like the one Fognini memorably pulled off against the Spaniard at Arthur Ashe Stadium seven years ago.</p>

<p>Nadal steadied the ship and looked to be cruising to the finish line when, while leading 3-0 in the fourth set, he was struck on the nose by his racket when it hit the court and bounced back sharply.</p>

<p>That led to a medical time out where the 22-time Grand Slam champion lay on his back with his eyes closed as a pink bandage was applied to stop the bleeding.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/spanish-teenage-sensation-carlos-alcaraz-tames-federico-coria-to-reach-us-open-third-round-512245">Spanish teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz tames Federico Coria to reach US Open third round</a></p>

<p>Nadal regrouped and with the backing of the partisan crowd sealed the win on Fognini's 60th unforced error to end the ugly affair in which the players combined for 15 breaks of serve and 11 double faults.</p>

<p>"For more than one-and-a-half hours I was not competing, it was one of my worst starts ever," Nadal said in an on-court interview.</p>

<p>"When this happens, hopefully not too often, you have to stay positive and stay patient. The match is long."</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/biggest-controversies-involving-tennis-legend-serena-williams-510936">Biggest controversies involving tennis legend Serena Williams</a></p>

<p>Next up for Nadal is Richard Gasquet, who defeated Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-4 earlier in the day.</p>

<p>Nadal is 18-0 lifetime against the Frenchman.</p>


Rafa Nadal overcame a horrid start and a bloody nose to beat Fabio Fognini 2-6 6-4 6-2 6-1 and reach the third round of the U.S Open on Thursday. The veteran Italian came out flying to build a set and a 4-2 lead as Nadal struggled to find a rhythm, raising the possibility of an upset like the one Fognini memorably pulled off against the Spaniard at Arthur Ashe Stadium seven years ago.

Rafa Nadal overcame a horrid start and a bloody nose to beat Fabio Fognini 2-6 6-4 6-2 6-1 and reach the third round of the U.S Open on Thursday. The veteran Italian came out flying to build a set and a 4-2 lead as Nadal struggled to find a rhythm, raising the possibility of an upset like the one Fognini memorably pulled off against the Spaniard at Arthur Ashe Stadium seven years ago. Nadal steadied the ship and looked to be cruising to the finish line when, while leading 3-0 in the fourth set, he was struck on the nose by his racket when it hit the court and bounced back sharply. That led to a medical time out where the 22-time Grand Slam champion lay on his back with his eyes closed as a pink bandage was applied to stop the bleeding. Also Read: Spanish teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz tames Federico Coria to reach US Open third round Nadal regrouped and with the backing of the partisan crowd sealed the win on Fognini's 60th unforced error to end the ugly affair in which the players combined for 15 breaks of serve and 11 double faults. "For more than one-and-a-half hours I was not competing, it was one of my worst starts ever," Nadal said in an on-court interview. "When this happens, hopefully not too often, you have to stay positive and stay patient. The match is long." Also Read: Biggest controversies involving tennis legend Serena Williams Next up for Nadal is Richard Gasquet, who defeated Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-4 earlier in the day. Nadal is 18-0 lifetime against the Frenchman.

US Open 2022: Rafael Nadal overcomes early scare and bloody nose to reach third round

<p>In what can only be described as an extremely unusual occurrence, Rafael Nadal recently experienced a self-inflicted mishap that saw him walk away with a bleeding nose during his most recent outing on the court in the US Open.</p>

<p>Nadal was cruising past Fabio Fognini, 3-0 up in the fourth set&nbsp;of their second-round clash of the US Open,&nbsp;when the unfortunate incident transpired. The bridge of his nose suffered the major brunt of the blow after his racquet ricocheted off the ground on a follow-through of a shot.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-ukraines-marta-kostyuk-refuses-to-shake-hands-with-belarusian-victoria-azarenka-after-us-open-clash-512287" hreflang="en">WATCH: Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk refuses to shake hands with Belarusian Victoria Azarenka after US Open clash</a></p>

<p>The strike left him dizzy and immediately drew blood as he dropped his racquet and stumbled across the court to lay on the side and allow medical personnel to take a look at the severity of his injury and treat him accordingly.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rafael Nadal had himself a self-inflicted mishap on the court that led him to a bleeding nose 😲<br />
<br />
(via <a href="https://twitter.com/usopen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usopen</a>)<a href="https://t.co/I82bEL721A">pic.twitter.com/I82bEL721A</a></p>
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPointsApp/status/1565558025565351938?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The unfortunate incident delayed play by five minutes. Despite suffering the injury, Nadal pushed through and managed to emerge from the contest triumphantly with the final scorecard reading&nbsp;2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1.</p>

<p>However, it is interesting to note that Nadal didn't let the injury pull him down as he went on to joke about the same during his post-match interaction with took place on the court.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/venus-and-serena-williams-tumble-out-of-us-open-doubles-courtesy-of-lucie-hradecka-and-linda-noskov-512331" hreflang="en">Venus and Serena Williams tumble out of US Open doubles courtesy of Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskov</a></p>

<p>When asked whether he had suffered a similar injury in the past and how he was feeling, Nadal declared, "With a golf club but not with a tennis racket. Well, just a little bit dizzy at the beginning. A little bit painful."</p>

<p>After spending around three years away from the action at New York, Nadal made a boisterous return against&nbsp;Rinky Hijikata, further bolstering his resolve to mount a successful run at the US Open.</p>


In what can only be described as an extremely unusual occurrence, Rafael Nadal recently experienced a self-inflicted mishap that saw him walk away with a bleeding nose during his most recent outing on the court in the US Open.

In what can only be described as an extremely unusual occurrence, Rafael Nadal recently experienced a self-inflicted mishap that saw him walk away with a bleeding nose during his most recent outing on the court in the US Open. Nadal was cruising past Fabio Fognini, 3-0 up in the fourth set of their second-round clash of the US Open, when the unfortunate incident transpired. The bridge of his nose suffered the major brunt of the blow after his racquet ricocheted off the ground on a follow-through of a shot. ALSO READ: WATCH: Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk refuses to shake hands with Belarusian Victoria Azarenka after US Open clash The strike left him dizzy and immediately drew blood as he dropped his racquet and stumbled across the court to lay on the side and allow medical personnel to take a look at the severity of his injury and treat him accordingly. Rafael Nadal had himself a self-inflicted mishap on the court that led him to a bleeding nose 😲 (via @usopen)pic.twitter.com/I82bEL721A — ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) September 2, 2022 × The unfortunate incident delayed play by five minutes. Despite suffering the injury, Nadal pushed through and managed to emerge from the contest triumphantly with the final scorecard reading 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1. However, it is interesting to note that Nadal didn't let the injury pull him down as he went on to joke about the same during his post-match interaction with took place on the court. ALSO READ: Venus and Serena Williams tumble out of US Open doubles courtesy of Lucie Hradecka and Linda Noskov When asked whether he had suffered a similar injury in the past and how he was feeling, Nadal declared, "With a golf club but not with a tennis racket. Well, just a little bit dizzy at the beginning. A little bit painful." After spending around three years away from the action at New York, Nadal made a boisterous return against Rinky Hijikata, further bolstering his resolve to mount a successful run at the US Open.

Watch: Rafael Nadal draws blood after hitting himself with his racquet in freak accident

<p>Former world number one Andy&nbsp;Murray&nbsp;told Fabio&nbsp;Fognini&nbsp;to "shut up" before losing to the fiery Italian 7-6(4) 2-6 7-6(2) in an ill-tempered second-round clash at the&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;Masters on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Murray, 32, lost a tetchy battle with world number 12 in which the Briton twice failed to serve out the match.</p>

<p>He confronted&nbsp;Fognini&nbsp;at the net in a lengthy exchange in which he accused the Italian of making a noise to put him off when he was playing a shot.</p>

<p>Three-times Grand Slam champion&nbsp;Murray, who underwent a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/andy-murray-hopes-to-be-fit-enough-by-next-year-to-play-roger-federer-rafael-nadal-249345">career-saving hip resurfacing procedure</a> in January, showed some encouraging signs as he continued his injury comeback before losing in just over three hours.</p>

<p>"There is a lot of things that I need to get better at, and I can do much better," said&nbsp;Murray.</p>

<p>"I will go away and I'll work on those things and be in a better position next time I play against him."</p>

<p>Roger Federer eased past Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2 7-6(5) to reach the last-16, avenging a&nbsp;defeat&nbsp;to the Spaniard in their last meeting at the same stage of the tournament in 2015.</p>

<p>Second seed Federer, who received a first-round bye, broke Ramos-Vinolas twice in the opening set and sailed through his service games without facing a breakpoint in the match.</p>

<p>Ramos-Vinolas, who upset Federer four years ago to snap a 15-match losing streak against top-10 players, recovered well to force a second-set tiebreak but his Swiss opponent came back from 4-1 down to seal victory.</p>

<p>"I focussed because when you travel around the globe, you're missing a bit of energy. Those first few games or matches can be sometimes a bit tricky," Federer said.</p>

<p>"Serve was solid. I was hitting my spots and really was never in trouble there. But of course all of a sudden, being in a breaker, calls out for different play sometimes and different momentum.</p>

<p>"He had his chances, but it was a nice comeback for me, and overall."</p>

<p>Federer, a twice&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;champion, next meets Belgian David Goffin or Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin for a quarter-final spot.</p>


Former world number one Andy Murray told Fabio Fognini to "shut up" before losing to the fiery Italian 7-6(4) 2-6 7-6(2) in an ill-tempered second-round clash at the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday.

Former world number one Andy Murray told Fabio Fognini to "shut up" before losing to the fiery Italian 7-6(4) 2-6 7-6(2) in an ill-tempered second-round clash at the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday. Murray, 32, lost a tetchy battle with world number 12 in which the Briton twice failed to serve out the match. He confronted Fognini at the net in a lengthy exchange in which he accused the Italian of making a noise to put him off when he was playing a shot. Three-times Grand Slam champion Murray, who underwent a career-saving hip resurfacing procedure in January, showed some encouraging signs as he continued his injury comeback before losing in just over three hours. "There is a lot of things that I need to get better at, and I can do much better," said Murray. "I will go away and I'll work on those things and be in a better position next time I play against him." Roger Federer eased past Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2 7-6(5) to reach the last-16, avenging a defeat to the Spaniard in their last meeting at the same stage of the tournament in 2015. Second seed Federer, who received a first-round bye, broke Ramos-Vinolas twice in the opening set and sailed through his service games without facing a breakpoint in the match. Ramos-Vinolas, who upset Federer four years ago to snap a 15-match losing streak against top-10 players, recovered well to force a second-set tiebreak but his Swiss opponent came back from 4-1 down to seal victory. "I focussed because when you travel around the globe, you're missing a bit of energy. Those first few games or matches can be sometimes a bit tricky," Federer said. "Serve was solid. I was hitting my spots and really was never in trouble there. But of course all of a sudden, being in a breaker, calls out for different play sometimes and different momentum. "He had his chances, but it was a nice comeback for me, and overall." Federer, a twice Shanghai champion, next meets Belgian David Goffin or Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin for a quarter-final spot.

Murray fumes at Fognini, loses in Shanghai Masters

<p>Rafael Nadal needed a set to get adjusted before unloading on Fabio Fognini for a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory and a place in the ATP Montreal Masters semi-finals.</p>

<p>Nadal, who won his fourth title in Canada a year ago, needed almost two hours on Friday to overcome the Italian veteran who shocked him on clay at Monte Carlo in April.</p>

<p>"It was an up-and-down match, but a positive match for me because I played better and better as it went on," Nadal said.</p>

<p>"I lost the first set feeling that&nbsp;I was not playing badly. Things were just going too fast.</p>

<p>"Things happen quickly here because the court is fast. Sometimes in the first set, the player who is taking advantage has the adrenaline very high.</p>

<p>"It's difficult to quickly stop that momentum."</p>

<p>World number two Nadal was the only major seed to survive a quarter-final cull after defeats for Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev.</p>

<p>Gael Monfils and Roberto Bautista Agut, meanwhile, were delayed by a steady rain that began as they took the court for the last quarter-final.</p>

<p>Austrian second seed Thiem, coming off an emotional home victory in Kitzbuehel last week, hit the wall in a 6-3, 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Russia's eighth-seeded Daniil Medvedev.</p>

<p>Number three Zverev was unable to make an impression on Russian sixth seed Karen Khachanov, losing 6-3, 6-3 in 74 minutes.</p>

<p>Zverev suffered the first blemish on what had been a perfect 7-0 record in Montreal after winning the 2017 edition in his maiden visit to the city, which alternates with Toronto as host venue each year.</p>

<p>Khachanov and Medvedev are 1-1 in their rivalry, having played each other in Moscow last season and in 2017 at the NextGen final in Milan.</p>

<p>"It's never easy to play a good friend, especially from the same country," Khachanov said. "Daniil is having a great season. The match will be difficult.</p>

<p>"He's a dangerous opponent. He has been destroying everyone this week. It should be a&nbsp;great match."</p>

<p>Two-time Roland Garros finalist Thiem, who had never won a match in Canada over five years of trying before this week, said he did not have a chance against Medvedev as a hectic travel schedule caught up with him in his 56-minute loss.</p>

<p>"With all the travelling and short transition, two very tough matches yesterday and two days ago, I think the battery was empty today. I was not on my 100 per cent," he said.</p>

<p>"This is just not enough in the quarter-finals of a Masters 1000, especially against a guy like Daniil, who is in a great shape, who is playing amazing tennis."</p>

<p>Medvedev admitted he was expecting Thiem to be tougher.</p>

<p>"I was happy that I was able to play so well, to beat him so easily," Medvedev said.&nbsp;"It saved me a lot of energy. It gave me a lot of confidence, so I'm very happy."</p>


Rafael Nadal needed a set to get adjusted before unloading on Fabio Fognini for a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory and a place in the ATP Montreal Masters semi-finals. Nadal, who won his fourth title in Canada a year ago, needed almost two hours on Friday to overcome the Italian veteran who shocked him on clay at Monte Carlo in April.

Rafael Nadal needed a set to get adjusted before unloading on Fabio Fognini for a 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory and a place in the ATP Montreal Masters semi-finals. Nadal, who won his fourth title in Canada a year ago, needed almost two hours on Friday to overcome the Italian veteran who shocked him on clay at Monte Carlo in April. "It was an up-and-down match, but a positive match for me because I played better and better as it went on," Nadal said. "I lost the first set feeling that I was not playing badly. Things were just going too fast. "Things happen quickly here because the court is fast. Sometimes in the first set, the player who is taking advantage has the adrenaline very high. "It's difficult to quickly stop that momentum." World number two Nadal was the only major seed to survive a quarter-final cull after defeats for Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev. Gael Monfils and Roberto Bautista Agut, meanwhile, were delayed by a steady rain that began as they took the court for the last quarter-final. Austrian second seed Thiem, coming off an emotional home victory in Kitzbuehel last week, hit the wall in a 6-3, 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Russia's eighth-seeded Daniil Medvedev. Number three Zverev was unable to make an impression on Russian sixth seed Karen Khachanov, losing 6-3, 6-3 in 74 minutes. Zverev suffered the first blemish on what had been a perfect 7-0 record in Montreal after winning the 2017 edition in his maiden visit to the city, which alternates with Toronto as host venue each year. Khachanov and Medvedev are 1-1 in their rivalry, having played each other in Moscow last season and in 2017 at the NextGen final in Milan. "It's never easy to play a good friend, especially from the same country," Khachanov said. "Daniil is having a great season. The match will be difficult. "He's a dangerous opponent. He has been destroying everyone this week. It should be a great match." Two-time Roland Garros finalist Thiem, who had never won a match in Canada over five years of trying before this week, said he did not have a chance against Medvedev as a hectic travel schedule caught up with him in his 56-minute loss. "With all the travelling and short transition, two very tough matches yesterday and two days ago, I think the battery was empty today. I was not on my 100 per cent," he said. "This is just not enough in the quarter-finals of a Masters 1000, especially against a guy like Daniil, who is in a great shape, who is playing amazing tennis." Medvedev admitted he was expecting Thiem to be tougher. "I was happy that I was able to play so well, to beat him so easily," Medvedev said. "It saved me a lot of energy. It gave me a lot of confidence, so I'm very happy."

Rogers Cup: Rafael Nadal rallies to beat Fabio Fognini in Montreal

<p>Novak Djokovic stretched his lead over Rafael Nadal at the top of the ATP rankings on Monday, after the Spaniard's failed bid to win a 12th Monte Carlo Masters title.</p>

<p>Djokovic, winner of the last three Grand Slam tournaments, is now over 3,000 points clear of old rival Nadal despite a quarter-final defeat by Daniil Medvedev in the Principality last week.</p>

<p>World number two Nadal dropped ranking points after his title defence ended with a shock semi-final loss to eventual champion Fabio Fognini.</p>

<p>The 31-year-old Italian reached a career-high ranking of 12th after claiming his maiden Masters trophy with a straight-sets win over unheralded Serbian Dusan Lajovic in Sunday's final.</p>

<p>Fognini jumped six spots to close on the top 10, while Lajovic climbed 24 places to 24th.</p>

<p><strong>ATP top 20</strong></p>

<p>1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 11,160 pts</p>

<p>2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,085</p>

<p>3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 5,770</p>

<p>4. Roger Federer (SUI) 5,590</p>

<p>5. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 4,675</p>

<p>6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,115 (+1)</p>

<p>7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 3,690 (-1)</p>

<p>8. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 3,240</p>

<p>9. Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) 3,225</p>

<p>10. John Isner (USA) 3,085</p>

<p>11. Marin Cilic (CRO) 2,845</p>

<p>12. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,840 (+6)</p>

<p>13. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 2,730 (-1)</p>

<p>14. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 2,505</p>

<p>15. Borna Coric (CRO) 2,480 (-2)</p>

<p>16. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2,050 (-1)</p>

<p>17. Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 2,041 (-1)</p>

<p>18. Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 1,930 (-1)</p>

<p>19. Gael Monfils (FRA) 1,875</p>

<p>20. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 1,820</p>


Novak Djokovic stretched his lead over Rafael Nadal at the top of the ATP rankings on Monday, after the Spaniard's failed bid to win a 12th Monte Carlo Masters title.

Novak Djokovic stretched his lead over Rafael Nadal at the top of the ATP rankings on Monday, after the Spaniard's failed bid to win a 12th Monte Carlo Masters title. Djokovic, winner of the last three Grand Slam tournaments, is now over 3,000 points clear of old rival Nadal despite a quarter-final defeat by Daniil Medvedev in the Principality last week. World number two Nadal dropped ranking points after his title defence ended with a shock semi-final loss to eventual champion Fabio Fognini. The 31-year-old Italian reached a career-high ranking of 12th after claiming his maiden Masters trophy with a straight-sets win over unheralded Serbian Dusan Lajovic in Sunday's final. Fognini jumped six spots to close on the top 10, while Lajovic climbed 24 places to 24th. ATP top 20 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 11,160 pts 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,085 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 5,770 4. Roger Federer (SUI) 5,590 5. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 4,675 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,115 (+1) 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 3,690 (-1) 8. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 3,240 9. Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) 3,225 10. John Isner (USA) 3,085 11. Marin Cilic (CRO) 2,845 12. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,840 (+6) 13. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 2,730 (-1) 14. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 2,505 15. Borna Coric (CRO) 2,480 (-2) 16. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2,050 (-1) 17. Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 2,041 (-1) 18. Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 1,930 (-1) 19. Gael Monfils (FRA) 1,875 20. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 1,820

Novak Djokovic extends lead as world number 1, Fabio Fognini climbs rankings

<p>Flamboyant Italian Fabio Fognini followed up his shock victory over Rafael Nadal with a 6-3, 6-4 final win over Serbian Dusan Lajovic to claim his maiden Masters title in Monte Carlo on Sunday.</p>

<p>The 31-year-old triumphed despite suffering from an apparent muscle problem to became the lowest seeded player, at 13, to claim the title since Gustavo Kuerten in 1999.</p>

<p>Five weeks before the French Open kicks off at Roland Garros, Fognini produced some brilliant tennis on Monte Carlo's red clay to snatch his ninth ATP singles title.</p>

<p>"I was preparing for the match as best I can because he has my ex-coach (Jose Perlas) and I knew it was going to be really tough, a lot of running," said Fognini. "It's an incredible achievement. I’m really, really happy."</p>

<p>Lajovic, who had not lost a set this week before Sunday, did not have the weapons to counter Fognini's tactical nous.</p>

<p>"It was my first time in a final, so a great experience for me," the Serbian said.</p>

<p>"Today was not easy to play, with a lot of wind. But Fabio is a guy who knows how to play in these conditions. He has great hands.</p>

<p>"He's moving really well. So I was feeling on the court that I had to work much harder than him to win the points. I think this was the key."</p>

<p>Fognini made several unforced errors early on, allowing Lajovic to break in the third game. But the Serbian failed to capitalise as he dropped serve in the next game.</p>

<p>Fognini won three games in a row and held off Lajovic to seal the opening set with a stunning backhand winner down the line.</p>

<p>It was the first set Lajovic conceded in the tournament and the Serbian appeared quite shocked, dropping serve in the first game of the second set.</p>

<p>After a brief fightback Lajovic, who was also looking to win his first Masters title, was overwhelmed again and Fognini again broke to move 3-2 up.</p>

<p>In the following game, the Italian had his right leg strapped by the trainer and Lajovic tried to make the rallies longer.</p>

<p>But Fognini cleverly ended some of them with dropshots as he held serve for 4-2.</p>

<p>He ended the contest on his second match point.</p>


Flamboyant Italian Fabio Fognini followed up his shock victory over Rafael Nadal with a 6-3, 6-4 final win over Serbian Dusan Lajovic to claim his maiden Masters title in Monte Carlo on Sunday.

Flamboyant Italian Fabio Fognini followed up his shock victory over Rafael Nadal with a 6-3, 6-4 final win over Serbian Dusan Lajovic to claim his maiden Masters title in Monte Carlo on Sunday. The 31-year-old triumphed despite suffering from an apparent muscle problem to became the lowest seeded player, at 13, to claim the title since Gustavo Kuerten in 1999. Five weeks before the French Open kicks off at Roland Garros, Fognini produced some brilliant tennis on Monte Carlo's red clay to snatch his ninth ATP singles title. "I was preparing for the match as best I can because he has my ex-coach (Jose Perlas) and I knew it was going to be really tough, a lot of running," said Fognini. "It's an incredible achievement. I’m really, really happy." Lajovic, who had not lost a set this week before Sunday, did not have the weapons to counter Fognini's tactical nous. "It was my first time in a final, so a great experience for me," the Serbian said. "Today was not easy to play, with a lot of wind. But Fabio is a guy who knows how to play in these conditions. He has great hands. "He's moving really well. So I was feeling on the court that I had to work much harder than him to win the points. I think this was the key." Fognini made several unforced errors early on, allowing Lajovic to break in the third game. But the Serbian failed to capitalise as he dropped serve in the next game. Fognini won three games in a row and held off Lajovic to seal the opening set with a stunning backhand winner down the line. It was the first set Lajovic conceded in the tournament and the Serbian appeared quite shocked, dropping serve in the first game of the second set. After a brief fightback Lajovic, who was also looking to win his first Masters title, was overwhelmed again and Fognini again broke to move 3-2 up. In the following game, the Italian had his right leg strapped by the trainer and Lajovic tried to make the rallies longer. But Fognini cleverly ended some of them with dropshots as he held serve for 4-2. He ended the contest on his second match point.

Fabio Fognini lands maiden Masters title in Monte Carlo

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Rafael+Nadal">Rafael Nadal</a> crashed to Fabio Fognini in the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals on Saturday, the Spanish clay court king swept aside 6-4, 6-2, to end his bid for a 12th title.</p>

<p>The shock result leaves Italian 13th seed Fognini facing unseeded Serb Dusan Lajovic in Sunday's unscripted final.</p>

<p>Fognini, who beat Nadal three times all on clay in 2015, stopped a 25-set win streak in the principality for the world number two.</p>

<p>The last man to take a set off Nadal in Monte Carlo was Britain's Kyle Edmund in 2017.</p>

<p>Fognini ended Nadal's Monte Carlo reign on the fifth match point.</p>


Rafael Nadal crashed to Fabio Fognini in the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals on Saturday, the Spanish clay court king swept aside 6-4, 6-2, to end his bid for a 12th title.

Rafael Nadal crashed to Fabio Fognini in the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals on Saturday, the Spanish clay court king swept aside 6-4, 6-2, to end his bid for a 12th title. The shock result leaves Italian 13th seed Fognini facing unseeded Serb Dusan Lajovic in Sunday's unscripted final. Fognini, who beat Nadal three times all on clay in 2015, stopped a 25-set win streak in the principality for the world number two. The last man to take a set off Nadal in Monte Carlo was Britain's Kyle Edmund in 2017. Fognini ended Nadal's Monte Carlo reign on the fifth match point.

Rafael Nadal crashes out to Fognini in Monte Carlo semi-finals

<p>Seven-time champion Rafael Nadal deflated local hopes at the Italian Open on Friday, beating the last home player, Fabio Fognini 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.</p>

<p>Nadal needs to win the Rome title on Sunday to displace Roger Federer as world number one.</p>

<p>The 31-year-old Spaniard recovered from losing a lengthy first set before breezing through the quarter-final tie for the loss of just three more games.</p>


Nadal needs to win the Rome title on Sunday to displace Roger Federer as world number one

Seven-time champion Rafael Nadal deflated local hopes at the Italian Open on Friday, beating the last home player, Fabio Fognini 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Nadal needs to win the Rome title on Sunday to displace Roger Federer as world number one. The 31-year-old Spaniard recovered from losing a lengthy first set before breezing through the quarter-final tie for the loss of just three more games.

Italian Open: Rafael Nadal outplays Fabio Fognini to enter semi-final

fabio-fognini

Fabio Fognini, News on Fabio Fognini, stories on Fabio Fognini, articles on Fabio Fognini, Fabio Fognini stories at Wion, Fabio Fognini news, Fabio Fognini latest news

fabio fognini