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Fabio Fognini, ranked just 49th heading into the 2011 French Open, won the biggest Grand Slam match of his career on Sunday in the fourth round of the clay court Grand Slam.
The Italian faced veteran Albert Montanes to open the second week of the Roland Garros draw as both players looked to advance to the quarters of a major for the first time.
Fognini won the match in what was one of the most competitive of the tournament so far this year 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 11-9. Montanes had several match-points against Fognini but was unable to convert any one of them. Furthermore the Spaniard, who turns 31 later this year, had a chance to serve the match out at 5-3 in the 5th set but missed his opportunity.
Montanes is not likely to take the loss lightly as he has never been to a Grand Slam quarterfinal. His ranking has been dipping of late and now that the clay court season is over for him he'll have to work hard to do well on the other surfaces.
Fognini will now likely face Novak Djokovic who, at time of writing, is leading Richard Gasquet in their fourth round match. While that match-up will likely spell the end of Fognini's tournament a quarterfinal appearance still means progress for the improving Italian player.
