Fabio Fognini may have come dangerously close to a default with one of his racket throws during a 7-5, 6-3 loss to Rafael Nadal in the China Open semifinals.
Fortunately for the Italian it just barely missed a linesperson, who displayed some impressive dodging skills. Mohamed Lahyani gave Fognini a stern talking to and also hit him with a code violation for racket abuse.
[tweet https://twitter.com/BloodDimon/status/652907221374902272]
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U.Toni’s reaction:
https://twitter.com/Tennis_Now/status/652724304056987648
That was the second time he tossed his racquet in the match I think U. Toni thought he should have been ducked a point.
UT was NOT happy
Nalbandian was defaulted for similar conduct at Queens a few years ago. The ATP does not apply their rules consistently; it makes them look like amateurs.
On the other hand, I’m glad Rafa actually beat him in straight sets instead of winning through a default because there would have been endless arguments as to whether Rafa would have won the match or not.
similiar conduct??!????????? Nalbandian KICKED a linesperson and inflicted bodily harm.
Ricky (at 8:56 pm),
Nalbandian kicked an advertising board in front of a line judge’s chair. The board smacked into the line judge’s shin.
Yes Nalbandian incident was a bit different because it resulted in an injury, this one could have but didn’t. But there is no room for this type of piggish behavior on a tennis court, unfortunately too many hot heads playing tennis these days.