ATP ask horse racing body to help in betting probe

LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has asked the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to assist its investigations into irregular betting in a match involving Russian world number five Nikolay Davydenko.

In a statement today, ATP executive chairman Etienne de Villiers said: ''We are committed to a thorough, fair and comprehensive ATP investigation and our decision to involve the BHA, as well as employing independent investigators, is testimony to that commitment.

''It underscores how seriously we regard any suggestion of corruption in our sport. The BHA team are industry leaders in this area and their expertise, knowledge and resource will be invaluable to our investigation.'' British online bookmaker Betfair voided all bets on Davydenko's defeat by Argentine Martin Vasallo Arguello at the Sopot Open in Poland. Davydenko won the first set but retired with a foot injury when trailing 2-1 in the deciding set.

At the time a Betfair spokesman said that the odds for an Arguello victory shortened considerably to make him the favourite despite Davydenko winning the opening set.

Betfair, which allows clients to bet against each other and act as both gambler and bookmaker, said that 7.3 million dollars of bets had been placed and accepted on the match, more than double the expected amount.

Davydenko said he had been upset by the controversy surrounding the match and that he had never received any contact from anyone regarding the throwing of a match.

''I play 30 tournaments in a year,'' he said at the time. ''Last year I lost 10 tournaments in the first round, and also sometimes I'm injured and I retire from a match.

''In the future I would like somebody to protect me from all these rumours or something like this that's happening.'' BHA chief executive Nic Coward said they were ''only to happy to oblige'' after being approached by the ATP.

REUTERS BJR RK1830