Davydenko match-fixing probe cloud over US Open

The internet betting site Betfair refused to pay out on Davydenko8217;s loss in an ATP event at Sopot, Poland, in which Argentina8217;s Martin Vassallo Arguello won 2-6, 6-3, 2-1 when the Russian retired with a foot injury.

Seven million dollars in wagers, 10 times more than normal for such a match, swung to Arguello even after Davydenko won the first set. That irregularity touched off a probe into the matter.

8220;It8217;s disappointing,8221; US fifth seed Andy Roddick said. 8220;You don8217;t want to hear about it. You don8217;t want tennis8217; storylines to be that. I8217;m happy that at least they are putting forth the effort to investigate it, take care of it and try to make sure it8217;s an isolated incident.8221;

8220;I8217;m pretty confident it8217;s an isolated event,8221; he said. 8220;Until we know something, until due process takes its course, you can8217;t really say anything. 8220;It would worry me if they found there was something going on and nothing happened then.8221;

A notice posted by the US Tennis Association at the US Open vowed punishment for anyone providing aid to gamblers. 8220;The participation in or aiding and abetting, directly or indirectly, with any form of gambling or betting involving tennis is strictly prohibited,8221; the posting read. 8220;The USTA has a zero-tolerance policy on gambling or betting involving tennis and any violation of such policy will result in immediate disciplinary action.8221;

Russia8217;s top-ranked woman, second seed Maria Sharapova, said the turmoil surrounding her homeland8217;s top-rated man has not aroused any concerns on the WTA circuit. 8220;It doesn8217;t seem like the WTA Tour has any issues with it,8221; Sharapova said.

ATP Tour executive chairman Etienne de Villiers has kept players informed about the matter. 8220;Etienne has been pretty straightforward,8221; Roddick said. 8220;I think we learned about the same time as the public that there8217;s an investigation going on.

8220;To his credit he has been pretty forthcoming with details. I don8217;t know if we know anything more than the public right now.8221;

What really happened?

8226; Bets were placed on Davydenko losing in an ATP event at Sopot, Poland

8226; Bets were paced on the internet betting site Betfair

8226; Davydenko, surprisingly, 8216;lost8217; when the Russian retired with a foot injury, giving his rival, Argentina8217;s Martin Vassallo Arguello a 2-6, 6-3, 2-1 victory.

How much money?

8226; A surprisingly large amount of 7 million were placed : 10 times more than normal for such a match

The result

8226; The betting being so irregular, betting site refused to pay out