Former world No.1 Andy Murray fell short of the 10th seed Fabio Fognini in the second round of the Shanghai Rolex Masters 2019 on Tuesday as he was defeated by the Italian in a drama-filled three sets 7-6(4), 2-6, 7-6(2).
Murray was also involved in an angry exchange with Fognini during the changeover in the deciding set, telling his opponent to “shut up” on his way to the defeat.
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The Scott complained that Fognini had called out during a rally and Andy Murray expressed his anger to umpire Fergus Murphy. Murray repeatedly complained to the chair umpire as he claimed: “Fognini does it to everyone”. The 32-year-old Italian, however, attempted to step in but was told to “shut up” up by the three-times Grand Slam champion.
Talking about his defeat to Fabio Fognini, Andy Murray said in the post-match press conference, “I’m very disappointed just now”.
Andy Murray also revealed about the changeover drama that took place between him and his opponent in the final set.
Describing the whole incident, the 32-year-old said: “So I had a volley on top of the net. Someone made a noise. I didn’t know who made the noise. I looked in the direction where the noise came from, he then told me ‘stop looking at me, what are you looking at me for’, and I was like: ‘I was just about to hit a shot and someone made a noise’.”
He further divulged what Fognini told him, “He then was telling me to stop looking at him, which – normally when someone shouts in the middle of a point. This is pretty rare that that happens and then he told me to stop complaining. He said: ‘when you have a volley on top of the net you’re not going to miss it.”
The Briton explained that Fognini caused hindrance to the play and he’s not allowed to do that as it’s against the rules.
“I was like ‘well I’m not going to miss it’, but I wanted to know where the sound came from, and it came from him, which you’re not allowed to do. It’s against the rules, it’s a hindrance, you shouldn’t do it,” Murray added.
He further continued, “But he (Fognini) said that I should have a sense of humor about that. I would say neither of us, at that moment, were in a joking, laughing kind of mood. And that was the issue that I had.”
Fabio wanted to engage with me, I probably shouldn’t have done, but I am not having him talk to me like that on the court,” said Murray of their exchange.
The former world No.1 was also annoyed that be couldn’t close the match as he repeatedly had the chance to serve for the match but failed to win.
“I want to say that’s the first time ever in my career that that’s happened,” Murray said. “I think it’s the first time I served for a match twice and not won.”
