Fognini fined $2000 for flashing obscene gesture

Fabio Fognini, of Italy, returns a shot. John Minchillo/AP

SHANGHAI, China — Fabio Fognini of Italy has been fined $2,000 for flashing an obscene gesture at the crowd after crashing out to a 553rd-ranked Chinese wild card at the Shanghai Masters.

The No. 17-ranked Fognini showed his middle finger to the crowd as he left the stadium following his 7-6 (5), 6-4 loss to Wang Chuhan in the first round on Tuesday. He also gave Wang a shove with his elbow after the two shook hands at the net.

The Italian is routinely fined for his bad behaviour on the court. He received fines totalling $27,500 at Wimbledon this year for unsportsmanlike conduct and showing a visible obscenity during his first-round match.

Wang lost in the second round in Shanghai to qualifier Malek Jaziri 6-0, 6-4 on Wednesday.

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