Wang, who mainly plays in Challenger or Futures tournaments
rather than the top tier, recorded a 7-6(5) 6-4 first round win
over the Italian on the Grandstand court to huge cheers from the
shocked home crowd.
The 22-year-old showed few nerves as he continued to pound
aggressively for the lines against a flat Fognini, who offered
little in the closing stages of the match and seemed happy to
get off court as quickly as possible.
Wang secured victory over the world number 17 with a stunning
backhand winner up the line before turning to his coaching team
with a shocked expression and clenched fists.
Wang will face Tunisian qualifier Malek Jaziri in the second
round after the world number 87 upset American Donald Young 7-5
6-4.
The loss was a fifth straight for Italian Fognini, who has won
three claycourt titles on the ATP Tour.
(Reporting by Patrick Johnston in Singapore; Editing by John
O'Brien)
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