Bychkova banned for 30 days

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

LONDON -- The Tennis Integrity Unit has fined Ekaterina Bychkova $5,000 and barred the Russian from playing for 30 days, saying she failed to report that she was asked to provide inside information and throw matches.

The ruling was announced Friday and takes effect immediately.

An anti-corruption hearing officer said there was no evidence Bychkova accepted any compensation. She was penalized because she didn't disclose the offer until being questioned by investigators from the Tennis Integrity Unit, which was formed by the Grand Slam committee, International Tennis Federation, and the ATP and WTA tours.

The 24-year-old Bychkova is ranked 121st and reached a career best of 66th in 2006. She has never been past the second round at a Grand Slam tournament.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe