The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Shanghai

Italy's Alessio di Mauro has been banned for nine months and fined 60,000 dollars for betting on matches by the ATP, the governing body for men's tennis.

The 31-year-old is the first player to be penalised under the Anti- Corruption Programme of the ATP after he was found to have bet on matches between November 2, 2006 and June 12, 2007.

A statement from the ATP said they wanted "a longer suspension" but added that there was no evidence that the world number 124 either bet on his own matches or "attempted to affect the outcome of any matches".