CAS targets quick verdicts in Cilic, Troicki cases

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) Doping appeals by tennis players Marin Cilic and Viktor Troicki at the Court of Arbitration for Sport should be decided within a month.

After Troicki's case was heard Wednesday, CAS secretary general Matthieu Reeb told The Associated Press that Cilic's appeal against a nine-month ban is scheduled to be heard in London next Wednesday.

In a counter appeal, the International Tennis Federation has challenged the Cilic verdict of its own independent tribunal, Reeb said.

The ITF seeks a two-year ban for the Croatian player's positive test for a banned stimulant, nikethamide, at a tournament in Munich in May.

Cilic has requested a verdict before the Paris Masters starts Oct. 28, so he could play there if cleared by the court.

"The decision will be rendered shortly after the hearing, probably a few days later," Reeb said.

Cilic's ranking has dropped to No. 37, having been No. 12 when he withdrew from Wimbledon citing a knee injury in June. On the same day he accepted a provisional suspension while the tennis governing body prosecuted his case.

Troicki appeared before a CAS panel in Lausanne on Wednesday to appeal his 18-month ban for skipping a blood test after losing at the Monte Carlo Masters in April.

The Serbian player and his legal team declined to comment after the 8-hour court session.

The verdict is expected before early November to allow Troicki to register alongside the Novak Djokovic-led Serbs for the Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic should his appeal be successful. Play begins Nov. 15 in Belgrade.

"The timetable is acceptable. Everybody is happy with the dates and the procedure," Reeb said.

Ranked No. 53 when his sanction was announced in July, Troicki has fallen to No. 73.

In 2010, Troicki won the decisive singles rubber in the Davis Cup final against France to give Serbia its first title.