A classic clash emerged between Fabio Fognini and Andy Murray at the 2023 Italian Open in Rome, marked by an umpire's controversial call.
The 2023 Italian Open got off to a good start when local hero emerged victorious against seasoned Scotsman. The match, which took place on a serene Wednesday evening at the Foro Italico, was anything but tranquil.
In a rollercoaster of a match, Fognini displayed remarkable resilience, and despite the turmoil of the year, managed to score his most significant victory of the season. Despite starting 2023 with a 2-8 ATP tour-level record, the Italian was able to show his heart in front of the home fans, in a first meeting gainst Murray since the heated Shanghai clash.
With the stakes high and the home crowd's eyes set on him, Fognini started the game with clear intent. He aimed to dictate the rhythm of the game, denying Murray the opportunity to execute his signature baseline strategy. After six opportunities, he seized the first set with a break in service, leaving Murray, last week’s Aix-en-Provence ATP Challenger Tour 175 champion, on the back foot.
As the battle progressed into the second set, Murray seemed to regain his footing, taking a 5-1 lead. However, Fognini fought back preventing Murray from marching into a deciding set unhindered. Yet, the Scot eventually managed to win it 6-4 despite losing majority of his lead.
The final set was a showcase of Fognini's dominance. Losing only three points in his service games, he leveraged this advantage to control the match. A slip-up from Murray, missing a short forehand wide, cost him a break early in the set, a setback he failed to recover from.
It marked Murray's first 2023 loss in a match that forced a deciding set, previously boasting a record of nine such victories.
The tense match was not devoid of drama, with Murray showing clear frustration towards umpire Mohamed Lahyani. An umpire oversight, in which a call was made in favor of a ball being in when replay confirmed it was out, ignited controversy.
This incident marked a pivotal moment in the first set, which Fognini ultimately won, and cast a shadow over an otherwise fiercely contested match. From 2025, all ATP matches should use electronic line calling, and this match only confirmed why the decision was made.
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