Fognini tops Gasquet, earns Swedish Open title

Bastad (Sweden)  : Third-seeded Fabio Fognini of Italy won the Swedish Open title on Sunday after defeating fourth-seeded Richard Gasquet of France 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, lifting his second trophy in 2018.

Fognini, world No. 15, needed one hour and 46 minutes to earn his second win over Gasquet, world No. 29, in their fourth career match, reports Efe.

Playing his third final of 2018, Gasquet struggled on serve, putting only 57 percent of the first serve in play, and won only 57 percent of the second delivery.

The Italian player took advantage of the Frenchman's difficulties, creating 11 break points, five of which were enough to earn his seventh career title despite conceding his service game three times.

After recovering from a shaky start, a service break included, Fognini won five consecutive games to clinch the first set a few games later.

The second set seemed to be a carbon copy of the first, as Fognini fought back from a service break in the early stages, but Gasquet built up another break and went on to draw level at a set apiece.

However, two service breaks in the third set were all Fognini needed to seal the win.