common in Spain for first offences c

UMAG, Croatia -- Third-seeded Fabio Fognini saved three match points Saturday before reaching the final of the Croatia Open, beating Gael Monfils of France 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (3) in a match full of momentum swings and turnarounds. He will play fifth-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain, who overcame No. 2 Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. Fognini brushed aside Monfils in the first set, losing just 10 points, but then made a number of unforced errors in the second as the Frenchman levelled the match. Fognini then jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third set before Monfils fought back again. The Frenchman saved two match points when trailing 5-3, but then wasted three of his own at 6-5. Fognini trailed 2-0 in the tiebreaker before recovering to reach his first Croatia Open final and stay on course for a third title in as many weeks after winning in Stuttgart and Hamburg. Fognini now has 13 singles victories in a row. He reached the semis in Umag in 2008 and 2011. "I started really solid at the beginning, but slowed down in the second set," he said. "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." Robredo failed to convert any of his five break points in the second set against Seppi, but broke early in the third to take a 2-1 lead. He clinched the win when a long rally ended with a backhand error by Seppi. "This was tough match, with long rallies," Robredo said. "We actually always play long matches. I am glad that this one went to my side." Robredo reached his second final of the year and has a 3-1 head-to-head record against Fognini by 3-1, winning all matches on clay. "We know each other very good," Robredo said. "He did not lose a match this month, but Ill try my best, go for his weaknesses."Cameron Wake Youth Jersey . The mixed zone is not a place to make friends. Custom Miami Dolphins Jerseys . Meanwhile, there were huge victories for Sunderland and West Ham over fellow relegation rivals, leaving the battle to avoid the drop up for grabs with the bottom 11 teams separated by just six points. Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored second-half goals to seal a fourth straight victory for Chelsea, which climbed above Arsenal and Manchester City in the standings ahead of their games on Monday and Sunday respectively. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Michael-Deiter-Jersey/ . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. Mark Clayton Jersey . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Minkah Fitzpatrick Womens Jersey . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end.Lionel Messis lawyers have tried to show the Argentinian footballer was not familiar with the tax issues that led to fraud charges against him at his trial in Barcelona.Witnesses called to give evidence on the second day of his trial said the Barcelona forward had little knowledge of the corporate structures that authorities say were created to lower the players tax burden in Spain.They said that, although Messi signed documents, it was his father who was actually responsible for the players businesses off the field.Messi and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, have been charged with three counts of tax fraud and could be sentenced to nearly two years in prison if found guilty of defrauding Spains tax office of £3.1m.The trial started on Tuesday with Messi and his father Jorge Horacio Messi, who have both denied the allegations, not obliged to attend the court every day, but they will have to testify on Thursday.The intention of Mr. Lionel was to attend the plenary hearing, but he has suffered an injury, said Messis lawyer, Javier Sanchez-Vera, who presented a medical report.The Barcelona forward hurt his back during Argentinas international friendly against Honduras last Friday and when asked by the judge whether Messi would attend Thursdays hearing, the lawyer said he would.The court appearance comes just days before he joins his Argentina team-mates for the Copa America in the United States. Messi in action for Argentina Messi and his father are accused of using a chain of fake companies in Belize and Uruguay to avoid paying taxes on £3.2m of Messis income earned through the sale of his image rights from 2007 to 2009.The two have already paid £3.8m to tthe tax authorities as a corrective measure after they were formally charged in June 2013.ddddddddddddThey are charged with three counts of tax fraud. Spanish prosecutors are seeking a jail sentence of 22-and-a half months for Messi and his father if they are found guilty, plus fines equivalent to the amount that was allegedly defrauded.But any such sentence would likely be suspended as is common in Spain for first offences carrying a sentence of less than two years. Messi is not obliged to attend the court every day but will testify on Thursday Under Spanish law, a defendant is not obliged to attend the full trial if prosecutors seek a jail sentence of less than two years, which means Messi is only likely to attend on Thursday for his testimony.The football star and his defence team have argued that the players father handled his finances without reporting to him, and that the striker was not aware of any wrongdoing. My dad handled the cash, Messi said in September 2013 when he was questioned by a judge investigating the case at a court in Gava, a town on the outskirts of Barcelona where the footballer lives.The players father agreed. He has nothing to do [with these issues], he only plays football, Jorge Horacio Messi said.The income related to Messis image rights that was allegedly hidden includes endorsement deals with Banco Sabadell, Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Procter & Gamble and the Kuwait Food Company.Also See:Where does Messi rank?Messi player profileLa Liga videoGuillem Balague ' ' '