"Vaffanculo!"
Actually, it was another finger that got Flavia Pennetta in trouble today during Italy vs. France first round Fed Cup action in Orleans. The Italian, who was playing Amelie Mauresmo in the opening rubber, flew off the handle during the second set tie breaker. The chair umpire overruled a call on her passing shot, declaring it out and giving Amelie a match point at 7-6. Pennetta, who later admitted that she “lost control” of herself, gave the umpire a naughty gesture and a few rough words. Mauresmo apparently took more offense than the umpire did and went on to double fault, lose the tie break, and then squander a 4-1 lead in the third set. Pennetta won the match! Nicolas Escude, France’s team captain, cried “RED CARD!” and according to Reuters, is filing an official protest.
Amelie Mauresmo explained afterward:
“She (Pennetta) should have been kicked out of the court. When (Zinedine) Zidane headbutts (Marco) Materazzi (in the 2006 World Cup soccer final) he’s kicked out. It’s crystal clear. To me (this decision) is unacceptable. . .I lost my rhythm because we had to wait (for play to resume) but I’m not looking for excuses.”
Amelie, I’m sure if Flavia headbutted you or the chair ump, she would have been kicked out. But come on, you were up 4-1 in the third! Did the memory of that rude gesture really come back to haunt you five games later? Sorry, you are looking for excuses for what really is an inexcusable loss. . .sigh. . .
DID FLAVIA DESERVE A RED CARD?
- F*ck, no! Amelie's a wuss (70%, 33 Votes)
- Kick that b*tch out! (30%, 14 Votes)
Total Voters: 47
Loading ...Alize Cornet made matters worse for the French team, losing 1-6, 6-2, 6-8 to Francesca Schiavone, a player who hadn’t won a main draw match in 2009. Ouch! And now the young Frenchwoman needs to go out tomorrow and kick Flavia’s butt to keep her team alive. It’s a tough task, given that France has lost to Italy the past two times they’ve played, but it could be a career-transforming experience for the Alize. Allez, girl!
Side note: Why is doubles played last in Fed Cup? It’s so much more interesting in that key third rubber position that Davis Cup uses. Plus, for French fans – Dechy/Bremond would have a great chance over Errani/Vinci.
Click here for some livestreaming links if you want to catch more France vs. Italy drama.
Tags: Fed Cup, France, Italy, Mauresmo, Pennetta
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She should not have been kicked out because bad words and rude gestures are not the same as headbutting, but penalizing her for such conduct by giving one point to her opponent would have been fair. And if this was indeed a match point against her, the match would have been over.
Hi MarK,
Yeah, I think the fact that the point would’ve been a match point probably influenced the decision not to make the call. Deserved or not, it’s a crappy way to end the match.
You gotta wonder if the French would’ve made such a stink if Amelie had won the match. . .
I personally think players should respect umpires/referees at all times, so this was quite inexcusable.
I do think, however, Amelie should’ve won the match. Squandering a 4-1 lead is again, inexcusable, so suck it, France.
Hey Babz!
Did you see that France lost 0-5??? Talk about inexcusable.
What’s up with that?
Could it be they’re rattled by the Mauresmo match?
At least Cornet should’ve won. I like her play. But really, 0-5 is humiliating! I’m quite disgusted by this loss. Ugh.