Betting review targets 45 matches

An independent panel has revealed 45 professional tennis matches over the last five years remain under suspicion because of unusual betting patterns.

The review into the sport's integrity was sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation, the men's and women's tours and the Grand Slams.

The panel states "professional tennis is neither systematically nor institutionally corrupt".

However, 45 unnamed matches require further examination, it says.

"That said, we have found no evidence of any 'Mafia' involvement in corrupting the integrity of tennis," the review added.

"We do not doubt that criminal elements may be involved in seeking to subvert or corrupt some players or officials and that they may even involve organized criminal gangs."

We applaud the governing bodies for taking bold and decisive measures to meet the challenges they face Ben Gunn

In total, 15 recommendations - all accepted by the governing bodies - were made by the review, including a uniform anti-corruption programme being agreed by the tennis authorities and a ruling that any player caught cheating faces suspensions of up to a life ban.

Ben Gunn, who led the review alongside Jeff Rees, said: "We applaud the governing bodies for taking bold and decisive measures to meet the challenges they face.

"Their decision to accept the recommendations outlined, underpinned by an agreement to introduce a uniform Anti-Corruption Programme, will help to maintain and enhance the integrity of a global sport enjoyed by millions."

Betting in tennis came to the fore last August when Nikolay Davydenko withdrew from a match in Poland against 87th-ranked Martin Vassallo Arguello because of a foot injury when losing 2-6 6-3 2-1.

An online betting site voided all bets on the match because of suspicious betting patterns.