Italy’s Fabio Fognini is closing in on a place in the world’s top ten after winning yet another claycourt title on Sunday.
The 14th-ranked player won the Royal Guard Open 2014 title in Vina del Mar, Chile after defeating Leonardo Mayer 6-2, 6-4 in the final.
Fognini has had success in his past four claycourt events, winning the titles in Stuttgart and Hamburg last July and this time the title in Vina del Mar.
“This was another important week for me,” said Fognini. “I was coming from reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open after overcoming an injury I had earlier in the year. I couldn’t ask for a better start of the season. It’s the third title, it’s important, and now I go to Buenos Aires with a lot of confidence”.
Fognini earned $77,315 in prize money and 250 rankings points while Mayer received $40,720 and 150 rankings points for his run to the final.
“I didn’t play that well today and he played incredible,” said Mayer. “I was sick in the morning, I almost didn’t play, but later the doctors and I decided that I could play.”
