Fiery Italian stars almost come to blows in a heated confrontation at the Australian Open

Fiery Italian stars almost come to blows in a heated confrontation where they shout and point fingers at each other over the net after marathon Australian Open match

By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 11:00 GMT, 11 February 2021 | Updated: 11:22 GMT, 11 February 2021

Two Italian tennis stars have faced off in a fiery confrontation after their Australian Open showdown.

Fabio Fognini and Salvatore Caruso came close to trading blows in a heated exchange and had to be physically separated by officials following their thrilling five set epic at Melbourne Park.

The drama unfolded on the court moments after the match as they came face to face at the net.

The pair exchanged a brief handshake before things quickly erupted into an angry war of words over the net

Fabio Fognini (left) and Salvatore Caruso (right) had to be separated by a match official following their Australian Open showdown.

The altercation continued for several minutes as the pair returned to their benches as the pair continued to rant at each other in Italian as they wagged their fingers and gestured angrily at each other.

The pair were eventually separated by the supervisor as Caruso collected his gear and left the court.

Tennis television graphics and stats operator Enrico Maria Riva has since posted a transcript of the confrontation of Twitter.

The ugly scenes were sparked by Fognini felt that his opponent got lucky.

You have been f***ing lucky, you should apologise, I didn’t disrespect you until now.

The confrontation overshadowed Fognini’s 4-6 6-2 2-6 6-3 7-6(12) win to progress to the third round.

More to come.

What was said between the pair

Fognini: You have been f***ing lucky, you should apologise, I didn’t disrespect you until now.

Caruso: What are you talking about? Fognini: You won four identical lucky points.

Caruso: What are you talking about?

Fognini: Can’t I say you have been lucky?

Caruso: I didn’t dare to say a single world in the whole match.

Fognini: I said something because you called for it. Caruso: I didn’t dare to say a single world in the whole match, enough now.

Fognini: Can’t I say you have been lucky? What’s the problem?

Caruso: You can do whatever you want.

Fognini: So why are you breaking my balls now? I said you have been lucky, if I’m wrong saying it, I’m wrong. Don’t attack me.

Caruso: I didn’t attack you. I’m telling you it’s not the way to behave because I didn’t tell you a single world. Let’s say I didn’t expect that from you.

Fognini: What did you not expect? I told you you have been lucky, you didn’t like it, what should I say?

Caruso: It’s not the way to do it.

Fognini: Why? What’s the problem?

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