Fabio Fognini will attempt to become the first Italian champion at the Vegeta Croatia Open in Umag  in 24 years on Sunday, when he meets Spaniard Tommy Robredo in the final. At the same time he will try to win his third career title and third in as many weeks, after grabbing the titles in Stuttgart and Hamburg very recently.

Third-seeded Fognini extended his winning streak to 13 matches in up-and-down semifinal, which almost turned out to be one of the biggest comebacks of the year. He defeated Frenchman Gael Monfilsby 6:0, 3:6, 7:6 (3) after big battle which could have gone on different side.

Fognini led 5:0 in the third set and served for the match three times. Monfils saved two consecutive match points at 3:5, regrouped and had three match points on his own side at 6:5. Italian escaped from problems and then won tie breaker by 7-3, winning five consecutive points after being 2-3 down.

Two Italians have previously reached the Croatia Open final. Filippo Volandri in 2003 and 2004, while Potito Starace was beaten three years ago.

"I started really solid at the beginning, but slow in the second set. At 5:0 in the third set another match was coming. It will be my third final in a row, I will try to win. I am tired, but mentally I go for the third title", Fognini said.

Robredo lost set for the first time this week in Umag but was stilla ble to defeat Andreas Seppi and disrupted possibility for Italian final in Umag.

"This was tough match, with long rallies. We actually always play long matches. I am glad that this one went to my side", Robredo said after defeating Seppi by 6:3, 2:6, 6:4. "I was a bit unlucky in the second set with all those missed break points. It could have been 4-4, instead it was 6-2. But good that I won the match."

Spaniard had problems to convert break points in the second set, as Seppi saved all five. But an early break in the third set was enough for Robredo to advance to his 19th careerfinal. So far he won 11 titles, with all but one coming on clay.

Robredo, currently ranked as No 28 on ATP singles rankings, leads head-to-head series against Fognini by 3-1, winning all matches on clay.