The Italian Fabio Fognini beat the Castellón Roberto Bautista in a intense and tough final 3-6, 7-6(8), 7-6(3) in three hours and eleven minutes to become champion of the Faulcombridge City of Valencia Cup at the Valencia Tennis Club.
Bautista, the number one seed in the tournament, and the Italian from San Remo, eighth, met on center court for the champion trophy, in a equal final and with moments of all kinds which went to three sets (Fognini saved three match points in the second).
The final started without an excessive pace of play, but, with the score at 3-3, Bautista projected a more precise version than the Italian. The man from Castellón was superior while the man from San Remo recognized his coaches. Bautista made good those sensations and precision in his tennis and won three consecutive games to take the first set 6-3 in 33 minutes.
The second set began with more intensity and with a balanced score, but in the ninth game the key was when Bautista managed to break serve. The Castellón native was up 5-4 and with serve in the tenth to try to take the second set and, therefore, the final and the title.
But the one from San Remo rebelled and took the lead but Bautista equalized 6-6 with his serve. In the tiebreaker that balance was maintained, the Italian raised up to three match points to the Spaniard and forced the third set after 10-8.
The third set remained on a level playing field in terms of scoring. However, there were several situations of disputed points that generated controversy and disagreement between the two players. There was no continuity in the domain of one or the other, They sharpened good blows and good phases, but they collided with other more erratic moments.
Bautista did not give up and won two games in a row to take a 5-4 lead, but the Italian resisted until the tiebreaker to be crowned champion.
“It was a very tough game. I’m happy. I’m almost 37 years old; It was a tough year with injuries. But despite everything I had to fight for this sport that I love,” said Fabio Fognini after becoming champion.
2023-11-26 18:00:00
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