Tensions have boiled over between Italian twelfth seed Fabio Fognini and Tennys Sandgren, with both players involved in heated discussions with the umpire and match referee.
The source of the drama came at the end of the first set when Fognini chose to swap his shirt during a non-changeover period, forcing the umpire to give him an unsportsmanlike warning.
MORE: Timeline of Rafael Nadal-Nick Kyrgios feud ahead of Melbourne blockbuster
This ignited Fognini, who spent the time inbetween sets arguing with the umpire and tournament supervisor.
It didn't take long, and tensions have boiled over on court! 🤯
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 26, 2020
Watch: @9Go
Stream: https://t.co/YVc8u4pCVY#9WWOS #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/yEkLucbgGd
Some drama after the completion of that set
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) January 26, 2020
Fognini receives an unsportsmanlike conduct warning and then leaves the court after talking to officials (apparently for a toilet break)#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/avZKqQ3RY4
He would then leave the court with time winding down, appearing to go for a toilet break.
This angered Sandgren, who accused the umpire of giving him special treatment and privileges out of fear for his reaction.
“He doesn’t just get no rules because he’s Fabio. Or does he?” Sandgren asked the umpire.
“He gets his own rule because you’re afraid to step on his toes.”
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
"He doesn't just get no rules because he's Fabio. Or does he?...He gets his own rule because you're afraid to step on his toes."
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 26, 2020
Fabio argued for a while, now Tennys is arguing for a while.
All the while, a CHOICE song selection on Melbourne Arena:
"That's Amore."#AusOpen
The talk appeared to calm Sandgren down, who returned to his seat and joined the crowd in a redition of 'Sweet Caroline' whilst waiting for Fognini to return.
@BenRothenberg pic.twitter.com/URjtIAizDz
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) January 26, 2020
ANTICS!!
— Trey Mongrue (@TreyMongrue) January 26, 2020
Fognini waited until after the changeover to take his bathroom break, and now Sandgren is doing “Sweet Caroline” karaoke with the rest of the crowd.
YES!!!#AusOpen https://t.co/gmOgtnna1m
Sandgren would proceed to take the next four games, with Fognini appearing to be rattled by the altercation.
However, in true Fabio fashion, the Italian would level the score after producing one of the rallies of the tournament.
"It's the rally of the tournament!" 🙌@fabiofogna somehow manages to win an incredible break point thanks to his "insane defence" 🤯
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) January 26, 2020
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📺 Eurosport 1 and 2
📱💻🖥 Eurosport Player: https://t.co/0Fa7uXMVB9 pic.twitter.com/8W7Gb6LWBf
Sandgren would eventually regain control, taking the second set 7-5 to take a two-set lead.
more to come