Fognini axes Murray in Rome first round

Andy Murray ended his participation in the Masters 1000 series tournament in Rome early after losing to the home favorite Fabio Fognini in three sets – 4:6, 6:4, 4:6, in nearly three hours of play.

The 2016 champion in the Italian capital started the match with a very difficult service game in which he had to fend off five break points. Fognini, who is ranked 130th in the world and entered with a “wild card” on home soil, continued to rise and soon made a break.

MAMMA MIA!!! 🇮🇹⭐️

Fabio Fognini stuns Andy Murray as he wins in three sets (6-4 4-6 6-4) on home soil! The Italian now leads 5-4 in H2Hs. 👀

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The former world no. 9 will face Kecmanovic in the second round of the Rome Masters. pic.twitter.com/3TSOEDqsQ0

— Relevant Tennis (@RelevantTennis) May 10, 2023

In the sixth game, the Italian needed to work hard to stay in the match by saving three break points. By the end of the set, he did not hesitate and led in the parts. In contention for a place in the third round, Fognini will play Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic, who rests at the start as the No. 30 seed in the main draw.