By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday April 21, 2021
It had to happen…
For the first time in his ATP career, Fabio Fognini has been disqualified from an ATP-level match.
The Spaniard was sent packing from the Barcelona Open on Wednesday after he argued with a linesman over a foot fault while trailing Spain’s Bernabe Zapata Miralles, 6-0, 4-4.
It was difficult to decipher what was going on as play was delayed after Fognini was broken for 4-4 in set two. He had just been called for a foot fault while serving at 30-40 and then lost the point off of his second serve. Immediately Fognini turned to say something to the linesman, and not long after the supervisor was on court. After a debate, it was decided that Fognini would be disqualified.
The Italian told reporters after the match that he did not say anything to merit his punishment.
He is the ninth ATP player to be disqualified from an ATP-level match since 2001.
Zapata Miralles moves on to face Pablo Carreno Busta in the round of 16.