Fognini Reaches Third Career Final in Stuttgart

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Fognini Reaches Third Career Final in Stuttgart

By Chris Oddo

(July 13, 2013) -- Italian Fabio Fognini set up a final clash with Philipp Kohlschreiber at the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart on Saturday. The Italian, still bidding for his first career title, defeated Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, 6-1, 6-3, in just under an hour.

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It was Fognini's second victory over the Spaniard in three previous matches.

World No. 31 Fognini becomes only the second Italian to reach the tournament's final with the victory, and the first since 1994. He broke the Spaniard six times on seven attempts.

Philipp Kohlshcreiber defeated Victor Hanescu in the second semifinal of the day, 6-3, 6-3, to reach his tenth career final. The German owns four titles, and will bid to become the first German to win in Stuttgart since 1999 (Tommy Haas).

Kohlschreiber defeated Fognini in their only two previous meetings in 2012, once on clay and once on hard court.

Fognini, 26, lost both of his previous ATP finals in 2012. He improved his career semifinal record to 3-8, while improving his overall 2013 record to 24-17 (19-9 on clay).

Kohlschreiber has lost both finals he has played in 2013, losing to Ferrer in Auckland and Haas in Munich. The world No. 25 is 22-14 on the year (14-6 on clay).

(Photo Credit: AP)