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Sonego beats Fritz to reach Sardinia final

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Lorenzo Sonego can become the first Italian to win a clay-court event at home in 15 years.
Camera IconLorenzo Sonego can become the first Italian to win a clay-court event at home in 15 years. Credit: EPA

Lorenzo Sonego is one step away from becoming the first Italian for 15 years to capture an ATP tour clay-court title on home soil.

Sonego defeated second-seeded Taylor Fritz, of the United States, on Saturday to reach the final of the Sardinia Open.

Third-seeded Sonego held off a spirited comeback from Fritz to prevail 6-4 5-7 6-1 and set up a final against the holder Laslo Djere, of Serbia.

Sonego was a set and 3-0 up - after winning five straight games - before Fritz started his comeback but the 25-year-old Italian recovered to romp to victory in the third and reach his first clay-court final.

It was easier for Djere in the other semifinal as he dominated fourth-seeded Nikoloz Basilashvili, of Georgia, to win 6-2 6-0 in a match that lasted just 52 minutes.

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Djere, who won the first edition of the tournament at Forte Village in October, lost just nine of his service points.

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