Fognini Sticks his Target after Shank in Rio

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Fognini Sticks his Target after Shank in Rio

2015 Rio Open runner-up Fabio Fognini failed to reach the quarterfinals at the Rio Open on Wednesday, but he did manage to hit a few sublime, offbeat shots.

More: Eight Hilarious Tennis Interviews Featuring Rafa and Roger

Watch as Fognini, after handing over a break with a bad shank late in the second set, turns and hoists his racquet right into the heart of the “A” on the word Claro. The Italian sticks it into the fence and by the time he has removed it he is already getting his warning and point penalty for a code violation.

Fognini, who tweaked his leg during yesterday’s win over Tommy Robredo, was in a foul mood for the start. He hit a ball into the crowd and got into a prolonged argument about a ball mark in the clay.

In other words—it wasn’t his day.

Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas got his second win over Fognini in ten tries (actually his second in a row after holding an 0-8 lifetime record vs. Fognini), 6-2, 6-3, to advance to the Rio Open quarterfinals where he’ll face Argentina’s Nicolas Kicker.

In other action early on Wednesday in Rio Diego Schwartzman defeated his compatriot Federico Delbonis in straight sets, and will play either Dominic Thiem or Dusan Lajovic in the quarterfinals.

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