5 talking points from the 2020 Australian Open

#5 Fognini becomes the 4th active player to recover a 2-set deficit at all 4 Grand Slam tournaments

Fabio Fognini

Making his 13th appearance at the Australian Open, reigning Monte Carlo champion Fabio Fognini found himself two sets down against Australian Jordan Thompson in the opening round.

However, not for the first time in his career, the fiery Italian fought back from the brink, taking the next two sets 6-3, 6-4 before downing Thompson 10-8 in the ensuing deciding set tiebreak. In the process, Fognini joined Federer, Fernando Verdasco and Tommy Robredo as the only active players to have successfully recovered a two-set deficit at all four Grand Slam tournaments.

Fognini has made the ultimate comeback once at Roland Garros (2010 2R against Gael Monfils), twice at Wimbledon (2010 2R against Michael Russell, 2014 1R against Alex Kuznetsov), and thrice at the US Open (2012 1R against Edouard Roger-Vasselin, 2015 3R against Rafael Nadal, and 2016 1R against Teymuraz Gabashvili).

Federer leads the all-time list with 10 comebacks from two sets down in Grand Slam tournaments.