Fabio Fognini fined for obscene gesture

Fabio Fognini in action against Wang Chuhan in the Shanghai Masters

Italian tennis player Fabio Fognini was handed a fine of $2000 by the ATP after making an obscene gesture towards the crowd following his straight sets loss to World number 553,Wang Chuhan in the first round at the Shanghai Masters.

The 17th seed, who had earlier in the match, hurled his tennis racket to the ground, then seemed to have pushed an elbow at his Chinese opponent during the customary handshake at the net.

Wang,who was knocked out in the second round, however chose not to speak about the controversy.

"This match has really, most importantly, helped me get closer to this kind of feeling of competing with top-100 players. Hopefully, next time when I meet a top-100 player, I won't feel so nervous or feel that it's impossible to win." he said.

This is not the first time, however, that the 27-year old Italian has landed himself in trouble. Fognini was in the news earlier this year when told tournament official Wayne McEwen "I will smash my racket in your head" during his opening round match at Wimbledon. Fognini was fined £27500 on that occasion..

The Italian had also blasted Wimbledon traditions and questioned why his match against Kevin Anderson was not organised in one of the main courts.

He also went on to say that the officials were giving him a punishment for his earlier offence.