Rafael Nadal suffers shock defeat to Fabio Fognini unglutinously

The defeat, in particular the second set which saw Nadal save five match points to avoid a bagel, will raise questions about the Spaniard's health heading into next month's French Open.

A knee problem meant the 32-year-old had to pull out of a semifinal against Roger Federer at last month's Indian Wells and forced him to withdraw from the Miami Masters a week later.

Seeking a 12th title in Monte-Carlo, cracks were perhaps beginning to show in the previous round, as Nadal had to battle back from 4-1 down in the first set against Guido Pella, before eventually taking it on a tie break.



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This is the fourth time in 15 matches that Fognini has got the better of Nadal -- who was on an 18-match winning streak in the principality -- and is one of just seven players to have beaten the 17-time grand slam champion more than once on clay.

The 31-year-old Fognini, who deserves plenty of credit for dismantling his opponent, will now play in his first Masters 1000 final for a shot at the biggest title of his career.

His defeat of the defending champion makes him only the fourth player to have beaten Nadal in Monte-Carlo over the course of the Spaniard's career.

Fognini will face unseeded Serb Dusan Lajovic -- another first-time Masters finalist -- in Sunday's final.

Fognini will face unseeded Serb Dusan Lajovic -- another first-time Masters finalist -- in Sunday's final. This is the fourth time in 15 matches that Fognini has got the better of Nadal -- who was on an 18-match winning streak in the principality -- and is one of just seven players to have beaten the 17-time grand slam champion more than once on clay. Fognini will face unseeded Serb Dusan Lajovic -- another first-time Masters finalist -- in Sunday's final. Fognini will face unseeded Serb Dusan Lajovic -- another first-time Masters finalist -- in Sunday's final. The defeat, in particular the second set which saw Nadal save five match points to avoid a bagel, will raise questions about the Spaniard's health heading into next month's French Open. The defeat, in particular the second set which saw Nadal save five match points to avoid a bagel, will raise questions about the Spaniard's health heading into next month's French Open. Seeking a 12th title in Monte-Carlo, cracks were perhaps beginning to show in the previous round, as Nadal had to battle back from 4-1 down in the first set against Guido Pella, before eventually taking it on a tie break. Seeking a 12th title in Monte-Carlo, cracks were perhaps beginning to show in the previous round, as Nadal had to battle back from 4-1 down in the first set against Guido Pella, before eventually taking it on a tie break. The defeat, in particular the second set which saw Nadal save five match points to avoid a bagel, will raise questions about the Spaniard's health heading into next month's French Open. This is the fourth time in 15 matches that Fognini has got the better of Nadal -- who was on an 18-match winning streak in the principality -- and is one of just seven players to have beaten the 17-time grand slam champion more than once on clay. READ: Federer defeats Isner to win 101st career singles title at Miami Open This is the fourth time in 15 matches that Fognini has got the better of Nadal -- who was on an 18-match winning streak in the principality -- and is one of just seven players to have beaten the 17-time grand slam champion more than once on clay. READ: Federer defeats Isner to win 101st career singles title at Miami Open Fognini will face unseeded Serb Dusan Lajovic -- another first-time Masters finalist -- in Sunday's final. READ: Li Na wants the movie about her life to inspire women The defeat, in particular the second set which saw Nadal save five match points to avoid a bagel, will raise questions about the Spaniard's health heading into next month's French Open. His defeat of the defending champion makes him only the fourth player to have beaten Nadal in Monte-Carlo over the course of the Spaniard's career. The defeat, in particular the second set which saw Nadal save five match points to avoid a bagel, will raise questions about the Spaniard's health heading into next month's French Open. The defeat, in particular the second set which saw Nadal save five match points to avoid a bagel, will raise questions about the Spaniard's health heading into next month's French Open. This is the fourth time in 15 matches that Fognini has got the better of Nadal -- who was on an 18-match winning streak in the principality -- and is one of just seven players to have beaten the 17-time grand slam champion more than once on clay. READ: Federer defeats Isner to win 101st career singles title at Miami Open READ: Federer defeats Isner to win 101st career singles title at Miami Open His defeat of the defending champion makes him only the fourth player to have beaten Nadal in Monte-Carlo over the course of the Spaniard's career. Seeking a 12th title in Monte-Carlo, cracks were perhaps beginning to show in the previous round, as Nadal had to battle back from 4-1 down in the first set against Guido Pella, before eventually taking it on a tie break.

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