WATCH: Fabio Fognini Wins an Epic Rally Against Rafael Nadal

During the quarterfinal of the Rogers Cup, Rafael Nadal fended off a spirited attack from Fabio Fognini. The last time the two met was at the Monte Carlo Masters, where Fognini stunned Nadal. Naturally, the Spaniard was out for revenge against the Italian, and he got it, but not without a fight.

At one point of time, during Nadal’s serve, Fognini and Nadal engaged in an epic rally. Neither player was willing to let the ball go and it culminated in a brilliant piece of tennis. Fognini triggered it with a drop shot but Rafael Nadal chased it down and Fognini lobbed it high. There was an audible gasp as Nadal successfully pulled off a tweener and Fognini’s next shot send the Spaniard wide, but successfully returning it.

After a couple more returns, Fognini evidently had his fun and did a drop shot, which Rafa was unprepared for. This exchange was so legendary that the crowd were on their feet.

Fognini drew first blood by taking the first set 6-2, but Rafael Nadal cam back with a vengeance.

Nadal was relentless as he snatched 11 out of 13 games to lead 5-1 in the second set. Fabio Fognini’s situation was made much worse when he picked up an injury. So, it wasn’t long before the top seed safely sealed his place in the last four with a 2-6 6-1 6-2 win.

“It was an up-and-down match, but a positive match for me because I played better and better as it went on,” Rafael Nadal said.

The Spaniard will face off against either Gael Monfils or Roberto Bautista Agut. Their match was interrupted earlier, so they will return to complete it. Monfils was 30-0 up in the first game when play was suspended.