Italy’s Fabio Fognini poses with a trophy after defeating Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic in the men’s singles final match of the Monte Carlo Tennis Masters. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)Associated Press

Fabio Fognini beats Dusan Lajovic in straight sets to win Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters

Victory is the biggest in the Italian’s career

By JEROME PUGMIRE AP Sports Writer

MONACO (AP) — Fabio Fognini won the biggest title of his career after beating Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-4 Sunday in the Monte Carlo Masters final.

The 13th-seeded Italian's first title of the year was his ninth overall but first at Masters level.

It came the day after he stunned defending champion Rafael Nadal in straight sets, becoming the first player to beat Nadal here since Novak Djokovic in the 2015 semifinals.

The 48th-ranked Lajovic's run to his first career final was unexpected. But the unseeded Serb rarely threatened in humid, overcast and slightly windy conditions.

Fognini needed a medical timeout to receive treatment to his right foot and right thigh after the fifth game of the second set.

But it did not impede him as he served out the match, clinching victory on his second match point when Lajovic hit forehand wide.

Tennis