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Haas Illness Spurs Poisoning Investigation

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The Associated Press

Published: November 8, 2007

STUTTGART, Germany - The International Tennis Federation is investigating allegations that Tommy Haas was poisoned before Germany's Davis Cup match against Russia.

Haas was forced out of his match against Mikhail Youzhny with a suspected stomach virus. Russia won both reverse singles matches on Sept. 23 to win the semifinal series 3-2 and reach the Davis Cup final against the United States.

"We take this very seriously," ITF spokeswoman Barbara Travers said Wednesday. "The investigation starts today."

German teammate Alexander Waske said he was told by a Russian who manages numerous athletes that it was poisoning. Waske didn't say who the manager was.

"He said as an aside, that it was bitter that Tommy Haas was poisoned," said Waske, who answered the man by saying that it was a virus. "Thereupon he said, 'No, they poisoned him.'"

Haas said he will fly today to his home in the United States for a complete checkup.

SONY ERICSSON CHAMPIONSHIPS: At Madrid, Spain, Serena Williams retired with a left knee injury after one set Wednesday, and defending champion Justine Henin advanced to the semifinals.

Henin cruised past Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 6-2 at the season-ending tournament.

Williams was treated by the tournament doctor before the start of the ninth game. She retired after losing the first set 6-4 to seventh-ranked Anna Chakvetadze.

TENNIS MASTERS CUP: At Shanghai, China, Roger Federer will play Andy Roddick and Nikolay Davydenko in the round-robin stage of the tournament.

The top-ranked Federer, who won his third Masters Cup title last year, was drawn Wednesday to play in the Red Group, which also includes Fernando Gonzalez.

The Gold Group opens play Sunday on the indoor hard courts with second-ranked Rafael Nadal facing Richard Gasquet and Novak Djokovic playing David Ferrer.

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