Rafael Nadal is favourite to win the Shanghai Masters and continue his excellent form in 2017.
The French Open and US Open champion added the China Open to his 2017 trophy haul on Sunday.
Nadal then flew from Beijing to Shanghai and beat Jared Donaldson 6-2 6-1 in his opening match here.
Nadal plays Fognini, who himself beat Lucas Pouille 7-6 6-3 after edging Fernando Verdasco in the first round.
Here’s all you need to know about Nadal v Fognini.
When does Rafael Nadal face Fabio Fognini?
Nadal and Fognini will face off on Thursday afternoon in China.
Nadal v Fognini is scheduled to start at 6pm Shanghai time, before Roger Federer plays Alexandr Dolgopolov, on the Stadium court.
That is 11am UK time.
Nadal boasts a W9 L3 record over Fognini, having first met the Italian in 2013.
Interestingly, two of Nadal’s defeats to Fognini have come on his favoured clay surface.
Fognini last beat Nadal on a hard court at the 2015 US Open, when he dumped the Spaniard out of the competition 3-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4.
Discussing his Shanghai Masters title challenge and Sunday’s win in Beijing, Nadal said: “Of course it is a nice feeling [to win a tournament after injury].
“But it is a feeling that I already had a few times in my career.
“Of course it is not the positive thing, because it’s better don’t have injuries.
“But at the same time the injuries, the only positive thing about injury is when you come back and when you have success, you appreciate it even much more.”
