'He is a clown': Italian firebrand docked point for 'unsportsmanlike' antics
Unseeded American Tennys Sandgren is through to the last eight in Melbourne for the second time in three years after eliminating Italian world No.12 Fabio Fognini 7-6 (7-5), 7-5, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4.
But the match wasn’t without its spice, after Fognini sent Sandgren into a rage after some gamesmanship.
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Fognini had lost the first set and spent the break arguing with the chair umpire over a time violation.
He then took a bathroom break and went over the allocated time.
“He doesn’t just get no rules because he’s Fabio. Or does he?” Shis opponent Sandgren asked the umpire.
“He gets his own rule because you’re afraid to step on his toes.”
But the drama hadn’t even started.
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The Italian then lost the next two games so he tried to take a break when it wasn’t the change of ends.
For refusing to play the chair umpire docked Fognini a point.
He then took off his shirt and requested a medical time out for a blister on his hand.
His antics drew the ire of social media.
Tennys Sandgren, who just won the first set against Fognini, is pretty chapped at the chair umpire. And with good reason, as Fognini is off on a bathroom break – after spending the entire changeover arguing w/umpire and supervisor over a code violation. pic.twitter.com/Iw8PHJT1qH
— Tennis.Life (@tennislifenews) January 26, 2020
To recap: Fognini went on bathroom break – after spending the entire changeover arguing w/umpire and supervisor over a code violation. Fognini then takes off his shirt on a non-changeover, gets a point penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. #AustralianOpen2020
— Jonathan 🏒 (@JonathanPapz) January 26, 2020
Fabio Fognini is absolutely taking the ****
7 minute toilet break at end of losing first set. Sandgren furious.
Fognini Broken to love. Changes t-shirt.
One more point. Fognini has a blisters medical timeout. #AusOpen— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) January 26, 2020
Fabio Fognini is having a Fabio Fognini afternoon. Loses first set, has argument with umpire, gets point penalty, takes medical time-out, goes 4-0 down in second set, fights back to 4-4. Tennys Sandgren's blood pressure must be off the charts.
— Eleanor Crooks (@EleanorcrooksPA) January 26, 2020
There’s not a more unlikeable player on the ATP Tour than Fabio Fognini, for a litany of reasons. #AusOpen
— Brandon Cline (@_BrandonCline) January 26, 2020
Fabio Fognini is a clown. Just shut up and play tennis! Tip of the cap for Sandgren for calling the ref out respectfully on this nonsense too. #AustralianOpen2020
— Jorge Monterroso (@JIgnacioM17) January 26, 2020
Fabio Fognini gets broken to start the second set, takes off his shirt and receives a second unsportsmanlike conduct that results in a point penalty.
And he doesn't want to play before getting treatment for his finger.
Scenes.— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) January 26, 2020
While Fognini recovered in the set, he eventually lost 7-5.
But in the third set, the pair had an argument over the net.
Still spicy! Sandgren and Fognini go at it over the net now!
Watch: @9Gem
Stream: https://t.co/YVc8u4pCVY#9WWOS #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/BCzvG34Jan— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 26, 2020
“I gave you everything. I gave you the blister, I gave you the warning, penalty point, so I can do nothing more,” the Italian said to his opponent.
Sandgren eventually won the match in four sets.
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