Fognini advances at Monte Carlo Masters

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - APRIL 14: Fabio Fognini of Italy plays a forehand in his match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during day two of the ATP Monte Carlo Rolex Masters Tennis at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 14, 2014 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - APRIL 14: Fabio Fognini of Italy plays a forehand in his match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during day two of the ATP Monte Carlo Rolex Masters Tennis at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 14, 2014 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Published Apr 14, 2014

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Monaco – Fabio Fognini of Italy was two points away from defeat before rallying to beat Joao Sousa 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Sousa led 5-2 and 30-0 on Fognini's serve, but the Portuguese player lost his composure and then started complaining to the chair umpire at the end of the second set and midway through the third.

The 10th-seeded Fognini, who lost to title-holder Novak Djokovic in last year's semifinal, was the highest seeded player in action Monday in the clay-court tournament.

In other first round matches, there were victories for Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany, Czech players Radek Stepanek and Lukas Rosol, and Spaniard Albert Montanes. – Sapa-AP

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