Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini pulled off a stunning comeback to win their second Umag title
Italy’s Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini saved a total of eight match points in an epic Umag final victory over third-seeded Liam Glasspool and Haari Heliovaara. Bolelli and Fognini, the top-seeded duo in Umag, recovered from a set down to beat Glasspool and Heliovaara 5-7, 7-6, 10-7.
Down by a set and a break, Bolelli and Fognini responded with back-to-back breaks to take a 5-4 lead in the second set. But Bolelli and Fognini then failed to serve out for the second set as Glasspool and Heliovaara broke back to tie the set to five games apiece.
In the 12th game, Glasspool and Heliovaara missed out on two match points but then opened a 6-0 lead in the tie-break. Just when it seemed the final was over, Bolelli and Fognini won the next eight points to force a decider.
After winning their second Umag title, Bolelli described it as “the craziest match ever.” “This is maybe the craziest match ever,” Bolelli said after winning his second Umag title with Fognini.
After saving eight match points, Bolelli and Fognini opened an early 4-0 lead in the match tie-break. There was no coming back for Glasspool and Heliovaara as Bolelli and Fognini converted their third match point to complete three-set win.
“We were down 0/6 in the second tie-break. We were just playing. The guys missed some but we played good. We tried to stay focussed in the Match Tie-break. Tennis is like this; doubles is crazy sometimes. But I am very happy for this victory and my second title here in Umag with Fabio”, said an elated Bolelli after winning the match.
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