Wednesday 11 February 2015 21:38, UK
The Italian tennis federation has suspended Daniele Bracciali and Potito Starace for 40 days while a match-fixing inquiry takes place.
Bracciali and occasional doubles partner Starace are the focus of an inquiry using intercepted phone and internet conversations.
The probe is being led by judicial investigators in Cremona who are also dealing with a match-fixing inquiry into soccer.
In a July 2007 conversation between Bracciali and an accountant who was arrested in 2011, Bracciali allegedly discussed arranging a match in Newport, Rhode Island, against American player Scoville Jenkins.
Jenkins won 6-2, 6-1.
In 2011, an owner of a betting parlor who was later arrested, is allegedly heard saying Starace agreed to sell the final of a tournament in Casablanca.
Pablo Andujar of Spain won the final 6-1, 6-2.
The federation says there is reason to believe that the players may have been involved in "illicit behavior."
Bracciali is ranked 72nd in doubles. With partner Jesse Huta Galung of the Netherlands, he lost in the first round of the Australian Open last month.
