THE FRENCH OPEN has been embroiled in a sensational match fixing storm, according to reports.
According to German publication Die Welt, police are investigating a first round women’s doubles match between Romania’s Andreea Mitu and Patricia Maria Tig against the Russian player Yana Sizikova and American Madison Brengle on September 30.
The report adds the investigation could be part of a wider ‘organised gang fraud.’
Investigators are looking into a flurry of unusual bets during the second set of the contest.
More specifically, they have drawn attention to the fifth game when Sizikova had her own serve broken.
She double-faulted on her serve on two occasions with an alleged ‘hundreds of thousands worth of euros’ bet on the incident occurring.
Video footage online also shows Sizikova appearing to stumble while attempting to reach a forehand return.
Prosecutors have revealed they are probing alleged ‘fraud in an organised group’ and ‘active and passive corruption in sport’.
L’Equipe add how an usually high number of bets were placed on the Romanians winning and that they were placed in several countries through Paris-based gambling outlets.
Sizikova and Brengle had seven double faults in total during the match compared to their opponent’s one.
The Romanian pair won the match in straight sets.
The French Open have been contacted by SunSport for a response.
Tennis Integrity Unit have declined to make a comment to SunSport.
