Yana Sizikova: Russian tennis player arrested at French Open as part of match-fixing investigation

AFP via Getty Images
4 June 2021

The French Tennis Federation has confirmed that Russian tennis player Yana Sizikova was arrested in Paris on Thursday as part of a match-fixing investigation.

The investigation is in relation to a match at last year's French Open, held in October, when Sizikova and doubles partner Madison Brengle lost to Romanian pair Andreea Mitu and Patricia Maria Tig.

Suspicions were raised by the amount of money wagered on the Romanians to win a Sizikova service game in the second set, with the Russian serving two double faults.

An FFT spokesman said: "The FFT confirms the arrest of the player but cannot communicate (any more information) because a judicial investigation is under way."

Sizikova's lawyer, Frederic Belot, told AP that his client denies the allegations, and wants to file a complaint for defamation.

"She was placed in custody like a criminal. She says she is innocent and did not want me to assist her during her questioning because she considers herself like a victim," Belot said.

Sizikova, 26, ranked 101 in doubles, lost her first-round match at this year's tournament on Thursday alongside fellow Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, with the pair going down 6-1 6-1 to Australians Storm Sanders and Ajla Tomljanovic.

Additional reporting by AP and PA.

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