Davydenko criticises Murray, pulls out of Madrid Masters

MADRID, Oct 17 (Reuters) Russian Nikolay Davydenko accused Andy Murray of publicity-seeking after the British number one said in an interview that corruption was commonplace in tennis.

''I think it's a guy trying to be more famous than he is on the tour,'' Davydenko, ranked fourth in the world, said at a promotional event at the Madrid Masters yesterday.

''If he says something then he knows something. We need questions from the ATP as to why he knows and what he knows.

''I think it is something very stupid on his part.'' In an interview a week ago, Murray said it was common knowledge that games on the ATP Tour were being thrown. He has since sought to play down his comments, saying they were taken out of context.

Murray said he was to speak to the ATP about his comments.

The ATP is conducting an inquiry into a match between Davydenko and Argentine Martin Vassallo Arguello in August after Internet bookmaker Betfair voided all bets on the game because of what it said were irregular betting patterns.

The Russian won the first set of the match at the Sopot Open in Poland before retiring with a foot injury.

Davydenko, who has already qualified for the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai next month, also announced that he would be pulling out of the Madrid Masters because of an elbow injury.

He needed treatment for a wrist injury during his final victory over France's Paul-Henri Mathieu at the Kremlin Cup on Sunday.

His place in Madrid will be taken by Spaniard Oscar Hernandez, who will face Croatian Ivo Karlovic in the second round.

REUTERS BJR AS1345