(ATR) A mixed doubles match at the Australian Open that reportedly was the focus of suspicious betting patterns is being investigated by the sport’s Tennis Integrity Unit.
The match in question saw Lukasz Kubot and Andrea Hlavackova defeat David Marrero and Lara Arruabarrena 6-0, 6-3 on Sunday. The New York Times reported that the gambling website Pinnacle Sports said it suspended betting on the match after receiving an unusual spike in bets in the hours before it began.
All four players reportedly denied that there was any possibility the match was fixed. Marrero and Arruabarrena made their denials to the Times on Sunday with Marrero blaming his knee injury for their struggles. Kubot said Monday that he and Hlavackova were interviewed by the Tennis Integrity Unit. According to the Associated Press, Kubot said that he didn’t notice anything unusual on the court.
Just a week ago, the BBC and BuzzFeed News reported that 16 players – including winners of Grand Slam titles – who were ranked in the world's top 50 over the past decade were repeatedly flagged to TIU over suspicions they fixed matches. None of them was sanctioned.
No players were named because of libel issues but the report also said that eight players investigated during the past decade were among those in the main draw for the Australian Open when it opened last week. Tennis authorities immediately rejected the charges that they suppressed evidence of match-fixing amid allegations of corruption.
Written by Gerard Farek
Homepage photo: Getty
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribersonly.
Últimas Noticias
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
The IOC says issues concerning governance, finance, and refereeing and judging must be sorted out to its satisfaction. AIBA says it’s confident that will happen and the federation will be reinstated.
McLaren report to FIBA confirms abuses in the Mali women’s basketball program
The investigation could not “independently verify” allegations against FIBA president Hamane Niang, who has resumed his duties after stepping aside during the probe.
ATR Extra: 1st ISF U15 World School Sport Games – Belgrade 2021
Olympic Channel is live streaming the basketball, basketball 3x3, football, judo and wrestling competitions during the event, which runs September 11-19.
International Judo Federation bans Algerian athlete and coach for 10 years for refusing to fight an Israeli at Tokyo 2020
Judoka Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef admitted they were withdrawing from competition to avoid a potential match with Tohar Butbul of Israel.
IIHF bans Belarus hockey president for five years for code of conduct violations - Federation Focus
Also: no contested election for next ITTF president; BWF calendar shrinks as event in India cancelled due to pandemic; FISU announces early bids for 2027 and 2029 World University Games
