Team Italy scored its second tie victory in Group D of the ATP Cup in Sydney thanks to singles wins by Stefano Travaglia and Fabio Fognini, who beat Taylor Fritz and John Isner respectively. The win was not enough for Italy to qualify for the quarter final as one of the best second-place teams.
In the opening singles match Stefano Travaglia hit 43 wnners (icluding 17 aces) in his 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-5) win over Taylor Fritz. Travaglia got the first break in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. Fritz broke back to draw level to 5-5. Travaglia won the tie-break 7-3.
Fritz saved four set points and held serve in the sixth game for 3-3. Travaglia won seven consecutive points from 0-1 down to win the tie-break 7-1.
Fognini won his first match at this year’s ATP Cup beating John Isner 6-4 7-6. Fognini dropped just one point on his first serve. Isner saved a break point in the seventh game, but Fognini broke serve with a backhand return. The Italian player held on his serve and closed out the first set 6-4.
Fognini saved a break point in the first game of the second set, but he did not convert two break point chances in the fifth game. Both players went on serve setting up a tie-break. Fognini went up a mini-break to take a 4-2 lead. Isner broke back to draw level to 4-4. Fognini hit a forehand to take a 6-4 lead and sealed his first win at the 2020 ATP Cup on his second match point.
