As reported by OnThePunt.com, Russian player Nikolay Davydenko and Armenian Sargis Sargsian were involved in suspected match-fixing at Gstaad, Switzerland, on July 4. Sargsian started the match as a big underdog at odds of up to 6.50, but was declared the winner of the match when Davydenko sensationally retired while leading 6-1 1-0. Davydenko, who just one week later starred in Russia\’s Davis Cup quarter-final win over France, cited a wrist injury for the retirement. A European bookmaker, which became suspect when a 4000 euro bet was placed on Sargsian just five minutes before the match was due to start, traced the IP address of the betting account to the official player hotel in Gstaad. Another bookmaker refused to payout winning bets on the match, citing a rarely used rule that protects them “where evidence exists of rigging or some other act which has unfairly affected the result.” Because of irregularities surrounding previous matches involving Sargisian, many bookmakers had not offered odds on the match. The timing of the latest controversy could not have come at a worse time for red-faced ATP executives who have allowed a tournament in Austria next week to be sponsored by BetandWin. A recent press release issued by tournament organisers extolled the virtues of being sponsored by one of Europe\’s largest bookmakers, which will enable spectators to bet live on their cell phones after each point.
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