Kyrgios fined for courting more trouble in Shanghai
● Controversial Aussie also loses prize money after quitting match
Nickkyrgios has been stripped of his first-round prize money and fined an additional $10,000 (£7,500) after his controversial Shanghai Masters retirement.
The Australian left opponent Steve Johnson and umpire Fergus Murphy baffled when he shook hands and walked off court after losing the first set on a tie-break on Tuesday.
Kyrgios had become increasingly unhappy with Murphy and, after being given a point penalty for an audible obscenity during the tie-break, was heard to say he would quit if he lost the tie-break.
The 22-year-old later blamed a stomach bug but did not seek medical help on court and then went against ATP Tour rules by not having a medical examination following his retirement. That has resulted in him losing the $21,085 (£16,000) he would have earned in prize money.
The point penalty followed an earlier warning for smashing two balls angrily out of court, for which Kyrgios has been fined $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Kyrgios subsequently withdrew from his second-round doubles match yesterday.
This is the second year in a row where the Australian has found himself in hot water in Shanghai, although his punishment this time is much less severe than 12 months ago.
Kyrgios was fined more than $50,000 and banned from the ATP Tour for a lack of effort in his second-round match against Mischa Zverev, during which he argued with the umpire and fans.
In yesterday’s secondround matches in Shanghai, Rafael Nadal continued his winning run while Roger Federer, pictured, returned to action with a victory.
Federer, who had a firstround bye, took on Diego Schwartzman in his first match since losing to Juan Martin del Potro in the quarterfinals of the US Open just over a month ago. The world No 2 was not on top form against a tricky opponent but ground out a 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 victory after an hour and 33 minutes and faces Alexandr Dolgopolov in round three.
Federer spent 39 minutes longer on court than US Open champion Nadal, who demolished young American Jared Donaldson 6-2, 6-1.
Donaldson matched his illustrious rival for four games but after that Nadal, who has never won this title, was at his ruthless best, racking up a 13th consecutive win.
Third seed Alexander Zverev was on court for just 12 minutes before British No 2 Aljaz Bedene retired trailing 4-0 with a knee injury but Grigor Dimitrov had a much tougher time against Ryan Harrison. The sixth seed faced three match points at 3-6 in the deciding tie-break but won five points in a row to triumph 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6).
Meanwhile, Fabio Fognini has been handed an additional fine and a suspended grand slam ban for his verbal abuse of an umpire at the US Open.
The volatile Italian was initially fined $24,000 (£18,000) after he was heard using extremely derogatory and misogynistic language towards Swedish official Louise Engzell during his firstround singles loss in New York.
Fognini was subsequently suspended from the tournament, meaning he was unable to continue in the doubles.
The board announced yesterday that Fognini has been found to have committed a major offence of aggravated behaviour and conduct contrary to the integrity of the game.
The world No 28 has been fined an additional $96,000 (£73,000) and banned from two grand slams, one of which must be the US Open.
But both punishments will be reduced if Fognini does not commit another major offence throughout the next two grand slam seasons. Should Fognini stay out of trouble, he won’t have to serve a ban and the fine will be reduced to $48,000 (£36,000).