Match Fixing in Tennis

[all_funkt_up]

Thought I'd post this up because I know we have some keen tennis punters on this here forum. Andy Murray has come out today and said that match fixing goes on and everyone knows about it.

The quotes are taken from an interview with 5-Live, due to be aired tonight I believe.

Interesting stuff, would it make anyone think twice about betting on tennis?

Originally Posted by BBC Sport

[crowie]

There have been some incredibely dodgy betting patterns in tennis matches over the years. Think the latest one was Davydenko (? I think) who was about number 4 in the world. He was playing some no hoper, was 1.20 to win but drifted before the start to 2.00, then won the first set and ended up at 4.50 when 1-0 up in sets in a 3 set match. And surprise surprise, lost 2-1.

I am sure there are many "straight" games in tennis but the sort of thing above doesn't help its image betting wise. Its the same with racing, you see a good favourite drifting like a barge pre-race, it ends up nowhere and everyone is very suspicious. I am sure that 95%+ of races are fine but the dodgy ones taint the sport betting wise.

[rcgills]

That'll be this game, Crowie

http://www.thedailypunt.com/forum/sh...light=vassallo

There are certainly players around who have a reputation for being slightly suspect. Their games are usually best avoided, unless it's in events where their motivation shouldn't be in any doubt (grand slams, masters series events).

In some of the lower ranking events though, the extra prize money for getting through to the 2nd round is probably quite a bit less than what the players can make from throwing the game, so it's easy to see where the temptation comes from.

[Peter Orchard]

Murray is hardly the most mature member of the circuit and I suggest the media are appointing the Scot as spokesman because Roger Federer wouldn´t speak to them. (And Murray speaks a form of English.)

The list of players (allegedly) approached exists nowhere on the internet and I guess those who have been approached are not available for comment.
Tennis is a vulnerable sport as would be all one-on-one events that attract such sums but as of today the only players persona non grata at the exchanges are Labadze and Davydenko and I´d expect Davydenko to be exonerated some time soon.

[all_funkt_up]

I see Davydenko was fined a few thousand the other week for "not trying" according to the umpire involved. Apparently Betfair refuse to allow trading on his matches as well. I remember the days when tennis players drank Robinsons and were whiter than white....

[crowie]

Originally Posted by all_funkt_up

I see Davydenko was fined a few thousand the other week for "not trying" according to the umpire involved. Apparently Betfair refuse to allow trading on his matches as well. I remember the days when tennis players drank Robinsons and were whiter than white....

Looks like throw enough mud and it sticks. Warned again yesterday. Love the umpire telling him to "serve like me" when asked what he was expected to do. Thats a bit like Mike Riley telling Shevchenko to score goals like he (Riley) does is it not i.e. fucking stupid.

Davydenko facing new controversy

Davydenko was bemused by the disintegration of his serve

Nikolay Davydenko is at the centre of fresh controversy after losing to Marcos Baghdatis at the Paris Masters.

The world number four was told by umpire Cedric Mourier to "try your best" after the official questioned why he was serving so many double faults.

At the St Petersburg Open, Davydenko was fined $2,000 (£976) for not trying hard enough against Marin Cilic.

He is being investigated by governing body the ATP over an August match that featured irregular betting patterns.

Online betting exchange Betfair voided bets on that match, in Poland, between Davydenko and the 87th-ranked Argentine Martin Vassallo Arguello.

In St Petersburg last month the Russian protested his innocence and, after his 6-2 6-2 defeat on Thursday, when Baghdatis asked him "What's wrong?" he replied "I don't know".


He served 10 double faults and was broken five times by the Cypriot in a match that lasted one hour and 13 minutes.

BBC Radio 5 Live tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend said: "Davydenko was jeered at times during this pathetic effort in defence of his title.

"He hit three double-faults in his opening service game of the second set and amazingly another three in his subsequent service game.

"At one change of ends the umpire, Cedric Mourier, asked the Russian why he was serving so badly. Davydenko seemed to shrug his shoulder as if to say, 'what can I do?'

"'Serve like me,' the umpire was heard to answer back.

"It's not unusual for players to banter with umpires at the change of ends but in the current climate the Russian should expect some serious questions."

Davydenko admitted afterward he feared getting an official warning from the umpire.

"He just asked me what was happening. I told him I couldn't explain," he said.

"I cannot serve. That was happening in St Petersburg. I don't have pain really. I have no pain in my elbow. I need to find what's the reason I cannot really serve."

Baghdatis said: "He didn't serve well but he played well, but I was not thinking about the stories and rumours about him.

"I don't know if they are true or not. I needed to be focused and play well. That's what I did."

An ATP spokesman told BBC Sport: "What was said between Cedric Mourier and Nikolay Davydenko was a normal exchange between an umpire and player and the ATP will not be taking the matter any further."

[Peter Orchard]

"'Serve like me,' the umpire was heard to answer back.

The umpire said "you´re serving like me".... as if that makes any difference.
Tough for Davy now he´s under the spotlight but I maintain the guy is not corrupt but may have been corrupted which needs to be sorted regardless butwhere he may be the sacrificial lamb.