At least two matches which took place at Wimbledon are being investigated for potential match-fixing following irregular betting patterns, according to a leading German newspaper.
Die Welt has obtained information of ‘possible manipulations’ which may have occurred at the Grand Slam involving one singles match and one in the doubles. It is also understood that several betting firms have reported those matches due to a series of abnormal bets that was made. Although the exact details of the bets being waged are not clear at present.
One match said to be under investigation is a first round singles match involving a German player. Although it is the opponent of that player who has triggered suspicion. It is said that a ‘five-digit’ sum was placed at the end of the second set on the exact result. There were also special bets on the number of service games in the match. Both of those bets won.
As for the doubles, it is a men’s first round match. The pairing won the first set before losing the following two. It is understood that the timing of those bets placed on that team to lose during their match is the reason why it has been flagged up to authorities.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) is in charge of launching investigations into potential match-fixing incidents. When questioned by Welt about the Wimbledon incidents they said they can’t comment on individual cases due to ‘operational reasons’ but they do have corresponding information on those matches. ITIA cases are not made public until a full investigation has taken place.
Welt also previously reported that a match at the French Open last year involving Russia’s Yana Sizikova triggered concerns over match-fixing. Sizikova was briefly detained by French officials earlier this year as part of the investigation but was later released. She denies any wrongdoing and had previously said she would file a complaint against the authorities.
In their latest quarterly report, the ITIA says they received a total of 11 match alerts between April and June this year through its confidential Memoranda of Understanding with the regulated betting industry. Nine of those matches took place on the ITF circuit and further two happened at ATP 250 events.
