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  5. Magic on clay! Fabio Fognini drops racket, still wins point in Rio Open; Watch video

Magic on clay! Fabio Fognini drops racket, still wins point in Rio Open; Watch video

Fognini, seeded fifth, was serving for the second set against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil when the racket slipped from his hand after serving.

Edited by: India TV Sports Desk New Delhi Published on: February 20, 2018 20:05 IST
Fabio Fognini
Image Source : GETTY IMAGES Fabio Fognini in action during the first round match at Rio Open

The spectators in Rio de Janeiro witnessed a miracle on clay when Italian tennis professional Fabio Fognini won the set point despite dropping his racket in the first round of the Rio Open on Monday.

Fognini, seeded fifth, was serving for the second set against Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil when the racket slipped from his hand after serving. But it bounced back up off the clay, he snatched it, rallied with Bellucci and hit an overhead winner at the net to tie the score on sets.

Watch how Fabio Fognini's racket returns in his hand

Fognini, who had been down a set and 4-0, ultimately prevailed 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-2.

World No. 3 and top seed Marin Cilic of Croatia enjoyed less drama in his Rio Open debut beating Argentine qualifier Carlos Berlocq 6-3, 6-2.

This was Cilic's first match since reaching the Australian Open final. He faces Gael Monfils or Horacio Zeballos next.

Fourth-seeded Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain overcame Rogerio Dutra Silva of Brazil 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 after trailing 4-2 in the last set.

Eighth-seeded Fernando Verdasco also progressed.

Second seed and defending champion Dominic Thiem of Austria opens on Tuesday against Dusan Lajovic of Serbia.

(With AP inputs)

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