Fabio Fognini battles into fourth round

The Italian defeated Julien Benneteau 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in three hours.

Fabio Fognini reacts during his four-set win on Saturday.

Italy's Fabio Fognini reached the round of 16 for the second time at the Australian Open with a five-set victory over Frenchman Julien Benneteau on Saturday.

Fognini, seeded 25, downed the 59th-ranked Benneteau 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in three hours on Hisense Arena.

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He will play either Argentine 12th seed Juan Martin Del Potro or Czech 19th seed Tomas Berdych in Monday's fourth round.

The victory equalled 30-year-old Fognini's best result at the Australian Open. His best Grand Slam showing was the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in 2011.