Video: Fabio Fognini loses racquet on set point, yet manages to win the set
There are aces on set points, mind-blowing winners on set points and then there’s this! On Monday, Fabio Fognini did something on set point, that is pretty much unthinkable.
At the ongoing Rio Open -- an ATP 500 tournament played on clay at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- the fifth seeded Italian mesmerized the crowd with his miraculous recovery skills after his racquet slipped out of his hand while he served for the second set against Thomaz Bellucci in the first round. The incident happened with the 21st ranked Fognini serving at 6-5, 40-30 in the second set, with a set point in hand.
It was a crucial juncture of the match as the Italian had earlier conceded the opening set 6-7(5) in a tie-break.
Knowing fully well how important that one point was for him, Fognini displayed extraordinary reflex action right after his racquet fell to get hold of it again and continue the rally. The 123rd ranked Bellucci, a wildcard at this event, tested him by pushing him deep, but it was of no avail.
Fognini came charging to the net and finished the point beautifully with a backhand smash. Surely, there couldn't be a more dramatic way to close out a set!
The smile and the look of relief on his face after that incredible point told how much hard work he had to do just for it. His efforts certainly earned the appreciation of the spectators and even the commentators, with one of them exclaiming, “I have never seen that in my life!”
Fognini later on won the third set as well to complete a 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-2 win and progress into the second round.
The amazing point was selected as the Hot Shot video by the ATP World Tour. You can watch the video here: