At 37, Fabio Fognini a win away from first Wimbledon R16 trip after Casper Ruud ousting

Former world No. 9 Fabio Fognini has advanced to the second week at every major except Wimbledon.

At 37, ranked No. 94 and rocking bleach-blonde highlights, Fognini has put himself in position to change that after securing his first Top 10 win since the 2023 French Open.

On Wednesday, the Italian eliminated No. 8 seed Casper Ruud, 6-4, 7-5, 6-7 (1), 6-3. Fognini won 152 points to Ruud’s 151 to prevail after three hours and 17 minutes.

The second-round contest initially looked to be wrapped up on No.2 Court in straight sets until it took a turn. Ruud rallied from 2-5 down and later match point to stay alive, then rolled through the pair's tiebreak to extend the match.

Fognini went back to work, eventually breaking for 5-3 in the fourth set after Ruud held 40-15 to reach 4-4. The Norwegian staved off two more match points and had one chance to get back on serve before his opponent shut the door.

It was 14 years ago when Fognini celebrated his maiden Top 10 victory at the All England Club by ousting Fernando Verdasco. His 2010 appearance also marked his first of now seven trips to the third round of the grass-court major. The closest the Sanremo native has come to making the round of 16 was at the 2014 edition, when he led Kevin Anderson by two sets to one.

Up next for Fognini: compatriot Lorenzo Sonego or former semifinalist Roberto Bautista Agut.

Ruud was bidding to get out of the second round for the first time in five attempts. The three-time major finalist will now turn his attention back to clay, as he is slated to play Bastad and Kitzbuhel in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics.