Fabio Fognini. (Photo: Twitter/Italian Ope)
Fabio Fognini won the battle of the 35-year-olds in Rome when he beat Andy Murray 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
It was his third win in a row in Italy against his Scottish opponent.
“I am very happy to win against a good player like Andy here in Rome. Now I just have to keep my fingers crossed that I will be rested for my next match so that I can fire on all cylinders again,” said Fognini.
Then 38-year-old Stan Wawrinka showed he is still hungry for success on the tennis court when he squared off with Russia’s Ilya Ivashka.
The final score was 6-2 and 6-4 in favor of the Swiss player.
“I have worked very hard on my game to still play at this level. It was a very good opening match and I am grateful to have made it through to the next round. I am playing much better this year than before, but I simply need to win more matches to boost my confidence,” said Wawrinka.
Novak Djokovic also knows after the first day’s play who is waiting for him in his opening match.
The Argentine Tomas Etcheverry beat Luca van Assche 7-6 and 6-3 to force a second-round match against the Serbian star.
Results:
Fabio Fognini beat Andy Murray 6-4, 4-6 and 6-4
Alexandre Muller beat Kyle Edmund 6-1 and 6-3
Wu Yibing klop Richard Gasquet met 3-6, 6-3 en 6-3
Thomas Etcheverry beat Luca van Assche 7-6 and 6-3
Stan Wawrinka beat Ilya Ivashka 6-2, 6-4
Sloane Stephens also knocked out Nadia Podoroska 6-4 and 6-1
Camila Giorgi beat Arantxa Rus 4-6, 6-2 and 6-3.
