ATP Cup 2020 – Fabio Fognini vs John Isner Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Fabio Fognini vs John Isner taking place? RAC Arena, Perth, Australia
When is Fabio Fognini vs John Isner on? Tuesday 7th January, 2020 – not before 09:30 (UK)
What channel is Fabio Fognini vs John Isner on? This match will not be televised live in the UK
Where can I stream Fabio Fognini vs John Isner? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream the match via Amazon Prime Video
Where can I get tickets for Fabio Fognini vs John Isner? https://www.atpcup.com/tickets
Who won the last meeting between Fabio Fognini and John Isner? John Isner beat Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-2
THE LOWDOWN
FABIO FOGNINI
- Fabio Fognini’s ATP Cup could have been so different when he took the first set of the first tie from Daniil Medvedev 6-1, but since then he has lost four consecutive sets including a poor defeat to world number 53 Casper Ruud.
- The 32-year-old did play in the second doubles match for Italy alongside Simone Bollelli to ensure that Italy won the tie over Norway so there is still hope of qualifying for the next round.
- Fognini has not beaten John Isner in two attempts, surprisingly few encounters for two players who have been in the upper echelons of the game for so long, and they last played in 2016.
JOHN ISNER
- John Isner’s three-set marathon with Casper Ruud earlier in the tournament does not look so bad now after his next opponent Fognini was dismissed by the youngster, but the USA are yet to win a tie as a result after he was predictably beaten by Daniil Medvedev.
- The pressure could be off Isner somewhat as Taylor Fritz should take the first match over Stefano Travaglia but the big-serving American can utilise all his international experience here against the flagrant Italian.
- Isner only managed to beat a player inside the top 20 of the ATP world rankings twice last season, with a win over then 11th-ranked Gael Monfils in Beijing and an international victory over Alexander Zverev at the ATP Cup.
THE PREDICTION
It’s odd to find that 34-year-old John Isner and 32-year-old Fabio Fognini have faced each other just twice in careers that have been spent mostly at the top of the game. While Isner won both of those previous occasions, a lot of time has passed since their last match in 2016 and it must be said that the big-serving American’s form is on the decline, while Fognini enjoyed his best year on tour in 2019. As always with the Italian, the outcome of this match rests on his temperament, but he should be able to find a way here in what should take this tie to a deciding doubles.
