Starace gets gambling ban, out of Heineken Open

Frenchman Julien Benneteau has been promoted to the main draw of next month's Heineken Tennis Open.

This comes after the withdrawal of seventh seed Potito Starace who has been handed a six week ban from the ATP for gambling offences.

Open tournament director Graham Pearce says it is unfortunate that Starace has gone, but strict rules need to be obeyed.

He says the rule is there and needs to be applied, and it has been applied.

Belgian Xavier Malisse is now the tournament's seventh seed while German Philipp Kohlschreiber is now the final seed.

- NEWSTALK ZB