Authorities are investigating the betting anomaly. Photo / Euro Sport
Authorities are investigating the betting anomaly. Photo / Euro Sport
An investigation has been launched into potential match-fixing at the French tennis Open at Roland Garros, with focus on a women's doubles match.
A source within France's National Gaming Authority (ANJ) told AFP the match in question was of a lower level, without specifying which was in question.
However, multiplereports out of Europe claim the game was a first-round clash involving Romanian pair Andreea Mitu and Patricia Maria Tig and opponents Yana Sizikova of Russia and American Madison Brengle.
Prosecutors have confirmed they are probing suspected "fraud in an organised group" and "active passive corruption in sport".
The fifth game of the second set in particular is being looked into. Mitu and Tig won by love following two double faults by Sizikova.
Large sums of money that were described as abnormal were reportedly placed on the Romanian duo – who were victorious in straight sets – winning the game, and placed in several counties.
Mitu and Tig ended up losing their third round match to second seeds Kristina Mladenovic of France and Tímea Babos of Hungary, who are competing in the semifinals on Friday.
Authorities are investigating the betting anomaly. Photo / Getty
A source within ANJ said there was no suspicious behaviour detected in the French gambling market. "They must have been afraid to bet in France. They tried to spread the bets around other markets but the betting industry bodies know how to do their sums," the source added.
Private operators, the Global Lottery Monitoring System and Council of Europe's Network of National Platforms all alerted ANJ about the bets. The Tennis Integrity Unit refused to comment on the matter, which goes in line with their policy of confidentiality.
The sport has already made headlines for match fixing offences this year. Former Brazilian tennis player and a once world No 69 João Souza was banned in January for life and fined US$200,000 ($303,700) for fixing and corruption.
Souza was also found to have destroyed evidence and solicited other players to purposely reduce their efforts.
The women's doubles quarter-finals continue tonight, with the semis beginning on Friday.
