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Andy Murray in the quarter-final of the 2022 Boss Open in Stuttgart, Germany
Andy Murray in the quarter-final of the 2022 Boss Open in Stuttgart, Germany | (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)

Tennis | Rome 2023 | Murray looking to consolidate challenger title in Rome against Fognini

Tony Fairbairn
Tennis

By Tony Fairbairn

  • Andy Murray v Fabio Fognini [WC]
  • H2H: Tied at 4-4
ROME, ITALY – Andy Murray is looking to consolidate his challenger title win in France when he takes on home favourite Fabio Fognini in his Rome opener.

 

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H2H & Match Fundamentals

Andy Murray v Fabio Fognini [WC] H2H: Tied at 4-4
Rome 2023 Rome, Italy
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After winning his first challenger event for 18 years, Andy Murray is looking to continue the momentum into Rome as he takes on the eccentric Fabio Fognini in his opening match.

 

Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2022)

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H2H: Andy Murray (WR 42) Fabio Fognini (WR 130)
Tournament Previous Best Champion (2016) Quarter-Finals (2018)
1st Serve % 63.1 60.9
Service Games Won % 80.8 63.4
Break Points Saved % 59 46.8
2nd Serve Return Points Won % 49.1 49.8
Break Points Converted % 32.5 44.3

Murray has proven to be more consistent than Fognini on serve but the Italian has been far more efficient on return.

 

 

Playing styles and prediction

Fognini hasn’t had his best season but trust the Italian to produce his vintage best in front of an energetic Italian crowd and Fognini will take encouragement having beaten Murray in Rome before. A big result in his home country this week would mean the Italian would be back in the top 100 again and would give him the motivation to come back to Rome next season as his career edges to its conclusion.

Murray will look to be consistent from the baseline and will look to dictate play through his serve and depth on the groundstrokes. Meanwhile Fognini will look to take advantage of any poor passages of play from the Brit by being aggressive and forcing the Brit into erratic mistakes. The Italian wildcard will look to use the crowd to his advantage and test Murray’s emotional resilience. Despite this match being a testing affair, Murray’s quality and confidence should prove too much for the inconsistent Italian.

Prediction: Murray in three sets.

 

 

How to Watch/Follow Rome 2023

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