Andy Murray’s doubles partner Lopez embroiled in match-fixing storm following Wimbledon 2017 loss

ANDY MURRAY’s tennis comeback has been overshadowed after his doubles partner Feliciano Lopez was embroiled in a match-fixing storm.

Spanish news reports allege Lopez, 37, has been implicated in a wider sports fixing probe following a men’s doubles loss at the 2017 Wimbledon championships.

Lopez and partner Marc Lopez, then the No.11 seeds, lost 3-6 7-6 6-2 6-4 to Australians John-Patrick Smith and Matt Reid in the first round two years ago.

Only 24 hours earlier Lopez had retired with a foot injury from his singles match with Frenchman Adrian Mannarino at 2-1 sets down and 4-3 behind in the fourth set.

According to police reports, the alleged fixing scandal – labelled Operation Oikos – was masterminded by ex-footballers Carlos Aranda and former Real Madrid and Leeds star Raul Bravo.

It is claimed ex-Sevilla and Villarreal star Aranda, 38, encouraged a contact in a telephone chat to bet illegally on his fellow countrymen losing – only minutes before the clash was about to start at SW19.

Police reports say Aranda declared the Lopez players would lose and he demanded 50% commission of any bets won on the outcome.

Feliciano Lopez was unavailable for comment last night but a source close to the player says he strenuously denies any wrongdoing and is seeking legal advice.

He was scheduled to play Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in the first round of the Fever-Tree Championship at Queen’s but the whole day’s play was washed out with the weather.

A spokesperson for the Tennis Integrity Unit told SunSport: “The TIU is aware of the allegations reported but in keeping with its policy of operational confidentiality, will not be making any comment on the matter.”

Aranda and Bravo have been charged with crimes including corruption in sport and have been released on bail after appearing before a judge.

There is no suggestion the Lopez players were aware of any bet and are not accused of any wrongdoing.