Metz Open: Fognini fights back to knock out Bublik and reach quarter-finals

Fabio Fognini moved into the quarter-finals of the Metz Open courtesy of an excellent comeback win against Alexander Bublik, beating the Kazakh 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) at the Arènes de Metz.

The Italian, a wildcard in Metz, eventually fought back from a set down by winning two very close tiebreaks in the second and the third to edge out an impressive Bublik in a thoroughly entertaining encounter.

Fognini, ranked No 147, will face the winner of the match between Jordanian qualifier Abdullah Shelbayh and Italian Lorenzo Sonego, the No 6 seed, next.

The 36-year-old Italian won against Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild (7-6 (3), 7-6 (9)) ahead of his victory.

Metz ATP250, other second-round results (Arènes de Metz, EUR 562.815, most recent results first):

• Abdullah Shelbayh vs. Lorenzo Sonego
• Stan Wawrinka vs. Luca Van Assche
• Pierre-Hugues Herbert (WC) beat Gijs Brouwer (LL): 7-5, 6-4
• Alexander Shevchenko beat Mate Valkusz (LL): 7-5, 2-6, 6-2
• Karen Khachanov (3) beat Constant Lestienne: 6-4, 6-4
• Ugo Humbert (4) beat Dominic Thiem: 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3
• Harold Mayot (Q) beat Gregoire Barrere: 7-6 (2), 2-6, 7-6 (5)