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Nalbandian fined $8,000 for outburst
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Nalbandian fined $8,000 for outburst

Published Jan. 20, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

Argentina's David Nalbandian was fined $8,000 for a postgame outburst at Australian Open officials following his controversial five-set defeat against John Isner.

Nalbandian was incensed when umpire Kader Nouni declined his request to challenge an overturned line call with Isner facing break point at 8-8 in the fifth.

Nouni told Nalbandian he took too long to make a decision on whether to consult Hawk-Eye.

Isner went on to hold his serve before breaking the 30-year-old former Wimbledon finalist in the next game to take Wednesday's second round match.

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Nalbandian hurled his racket away after surrendering match point and later ripped into the officials.

"I mean, it's ridiculous playing this kind of tournament with this kind of umpires," Nalbandian said. "What is this? What did the ATP do for this? I didn't understand in that situation, 8-8, break point. I mean, [how] can you be that stupid to do that in that moment?"

Nalbandian officially was fined for unsportsmanlike behavior, with one report suggesting he also threw water at an official.

Isner, whose tournament ended Friday with defeat to Feliciano Lopez after another five-set epic, was also fined following the controversial Nalbandian match. The big-serving American was charged $800 for racket abuse.

Marcos Baghdatis, who wrecked four rackets in less than a minute earlier in the week, was only fined $1,250 for his extended fit of rage.

Isner's ousting, meanwhile, completed the worst showing among US men at the Australian Open in the open era, with none reaching the round of 16. American No. 1 Mardy Fish and Donald Young both lost in the second round, while injury forced Andy Roddick to retire against Lleyton Hewitt.

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