Fognini Still Dominant on Clay with ATP Bastad Title

Fabio Fognini is ramping it up on clay before the US hardcourt season begins in earnest.
ADHEREL
The tempestuous Italian won his second title of the year, both on clay, on Sunday beating Richard Gasquet 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to win the SkiStar Swedish Open title.

The No. 3 seed Fognini lifted the Brasil Open title in February. All seven of his career titles have come on clay.

“I’m tired, but happy at the same time. I played a lot of matches this week,” said Fognini.

He improved to 7-9 in career tour finals.

Gasquet fell to 1-3 in finals this year.

“[Fabio] is a very good player,” Gasquet said. “He played well and he deserved this win. It was my first time in Bastad…I am very happy to be here, finally. It is one of the best tournaments.”

The 31-year-old Fognini was up a set and a break but could not close.

“I think that was the key of the match [was] starting really solid and really aggressively at the beginning of the third set,” Fognini said.

Gasquet won his first 2018 title on grass in the Netherlands. He is 15-16 in career finals.