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Cirstea takes crack at crying Konta

Johanna Konta burst into tears after disgraceful treatment during Great Britain's Fed Cup tie with Romania, but her opponent reckons she was putting it on.

With Konta leading Sorana Cirstea 6-2 1-2 in the second rubber in Constanta, Romania's captain Ilie Nastase became embroiled in a row seemingly stemming from crowd noise.

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The 70-year-old former world No.1 was heard to say to the umpire: "What's your f***ing problem?". He then appeared to call British captain Anne Keothavong and Konta "f***ing bitches".

Nastase was sent off the court by referee Andreas Egli and, after taking a seat in the stands, was then escorted back to the locker room.

Konta was visibly upset and, after playing the next game in tears and dropping serve, the players left the court. Play resumed about 25 minutes later and the Briton won five straight games for a 6-2 6-3 victory to level the tie.

Speaking in the post-match press conference, Cirstea accused Konta of gamesmanship, saying the Brit was playing up the situation so she could leave the court and regroup.

"Johanna (speaking tennis-wise) was better than me today...my problem was why the match was stopped," she said.

"I understand at 2-1...but then we play another game, I win it and suddenly you start crying and go off the court.

Cirstea was not happy during the match either. Image: BBC

"I've played all over the world, they've called me gypsy, bitch, arsehole, idiot. I never cried, I stayed there and I played.

"You want to stop the match you stop it at 2-1, not 3-1.

"Then when she comes back on court she comes and says sorry, so she knew she exaggerated. It was a bit too much."

Nastase has been provisionally suspended from all ITF events pending an investigation and is sure to face severe punishment.

He was already being investigated by the ITF for an apparently racist remark about Serena Williams' unborn baby on Friday, the two-time grand slam champion having said: "Let's see what colour it has. Chocolate with milk?"

Video also emerged of Nastase asking GB captain Keothavong for her hotel room number at the official press conference before the tie.

with AAP