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The Italian veteran Fabio Fognini is competing at Roland Garros for the 16th time. Fabio faced world no. 10 Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round and scored a 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory in two hours and 17 minutes, earning a rare top-10 victory at Majors.
Felix came to Paris with a 13-9 score, dealing with a shoulder injury and getting sick the night before the match. The Canadian could not take at least a set, hitting eight double faults and struggling behind the second serve big time.
Both players created nine break chances, and Fabio had the upper hand in the crucial moments. The Italian converted eight break points and lost serve four times to control the scoreboard and secure his 67th Major victory. Fognini tamed his strokes nicely and hit 34 winners and 32 unforced errors.
The Italian had the upper hand in the mid-range rallies and emerged at the top for a notable victory.
Fabio Fognini ousted Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets in Paris.
The Canadian hit a double fault in the encounter's third game and lost serve.
Fognini landed an ace in the next one to cement the lead and grabbed another break a few minutes later after Auger-Aliassime's loose forehand. Felix pulled one break back in game six following Fabio's double fault and held with a forehand down the line winner for 3-4.
Fognini faced a break point in game eight and denied it with a service winner. The Italian wrapped up the opener with a powerful serve at 5-4 after 44 minutes. Auger-Aliassime made a better start in the second set and broke Fognini in the second game after the veteran's wayward forehand.
Fabio bounced back and delivered back-to-back breaks in games three and five to turn the scoreboard and move 3-2 ahead. Fognini saved break points in the sixth game to open a 4-2 gap before Auger-Aliassime broke back with a forehand down the line winner in game eight for 4-4.
Instead of building on that, the Canadian experienced a break at love in game nine and allowed the Italian to clinch the set with a forehand winner at 5-4. With a boost on his side, Fabio secured two breaks at the start of the third set, rattling off five straight games and moving closer to the finish line.
Felix pulled one break back in game four and produced two fine holds to remain 3-4 behind. Fabio held at love for 5-3 and created a match point in the next one after Felix's loose backhand. The Italian cracked a forehand crosscourt winner to seal the deal in style and emerge at the top.