Fognini upsets Davydenko 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 at Mercedes Cup to reach 1st semifinal in a year

Fabio Fognini reaches Mercedes Cup semifinals

STUTTGART, Germany — Fabio Fognini upset second-seeded Nikolay Davydenko of Russia 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 Friday at the Mercedes Cup to reach his first semifinal in a year.

The 22-year-old Italian, ranked No. 67, last reached the final four in July 2008 at Umga, Slovenia. He is looking for his first title on the ATP tour.

Fognini will play fourth-seeded Victor Hanescu of Romania, who beat Alexandre Sidorenko of France 7-6 (2), 6-4. Hanescu is the only seeded player left in the field.

Fognini’s match was interrupted by rain for about 30 minutes at 4-4 in the third set.

Davydenko double-faulted to give two match points to Fognini, who won when the Russian sent a backhand wide on the second.

The rain returned after the match and the organizers were forced to postpone the other two quarterfinals until Saturday.

Nicolas Kiefer of Germany was slated to play Lukasz Kubot of Poland and Jeremy Chardy of France was to meet Mischa Zverev of Germany.