It should have been a day of celebration for Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov, but instead he was faced with more questions about corruption in tennis during his press conference.
The world No.64 dropped just five games during his 6-1, 6-0, 6-4, win over Viktor Troicki. A player ranked 12 places higher than him in the Emirates rankings. Dolgopolov sealed the win with the help of three aces and 24 winners as well as benefiting heavily from Troicki’s error count of 33.
“It’s unbelievable, really. It’s one of my best matches lately. I’m really happy that I’m healthy again. I’m playing five-set matches, winning, you know, not just one but quite a few.” Dolgopolov said about his first week in New York.
“Now I’m in the second week, so it’s unbelievable.”
In the midst of his stellar run, a dark cloud looms over Dolgopolov’s head. At the Winston-Salem Open, an investigation was launched by the Tennis Integrity Unit into one of his matches. It was prompted after betting companies reported ‘irregular betting patterns.’ He has not been implicated in match-fixing and has protested his innocence. Accusing the media of trying to harm his reputation. Dolgopolov confirmed that he has been interviewed by a member of the TIU at the US Open earlier in the week.
“Straight after I came here, I wasn’t happy with what’s going on in the press, so I was the first one to come there and try to give them all the information so they can investigate it faster.” He explained.
Dolgopolov was once again asked about the issue is Flushing Meadows on Saturday. This time it wasn’t about him, but match-fixing in general, and if he thinks it happens. The 28-year-old was reluctant to weigh in on the debate, declining to say if he thinks gambling occurs on the tour.
“ (I) think that’s why we have the TIU. If there’s some strange matches, you know, they investigate it.” He said.
“I don’t think about that (gambling). I’m not the person that should comment about that. I mean, you cannot be perfect every week, I think. So, for sure, you can see bad matches, players playing bad. But if there is gambling involved, it’s not for me to say.”
In regards to Winston-Salem, Dolgopolov hit back at a journalist pressing him on the topic. Telling them to ‘read his previous statement’ and stating that he will not be repeating himself.
“I gave a statement. It’s enough. I’m not going to be talking about it every day. Just because one of you didn’t arrive or you have new questions, that’s it.”
In the fourth round, Dolgopolov will play either top seed Rafael Nadal or Leonardo Mayer.
