Report: Puerta could be banned for stimulant


TOKYO -- Top-seeded Mariano Puerta defeated U.S. qualifier Eric Taino 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the Japan Open on 
Wednesday when rain led to postponements and a backlog of matches.

Third-seeded Robby Ginepri of the U.S. also advanced to the third round, beating Alexander Popp of Germany 6-4, 6-0. 

The French sports newspaper L'Equipe reported Wednesday that Puerta tested positive for a banned stimulant following the 
Argentine's loss to Rafael Nadal in the French Open final and could be banned for life.

"The ATP's policy is to not comment on any doping case until the decision of an independent tribunal," said ATP spokesman 
Pete Holtermann, who is in Tokyo for the tournament.

Charles Russell, a British law firm representing Puerta, said in a statement the player "did not deliberately or knowingly 
ingest any prohibited substance'' and he "strenuously denies that a doping offense has been committed."

Giorgio Brasero, Puerta's French-based agent, said he spoke with the player by phone and they will take their time before 
deciding on a course of action.

"I prefer not to elaborate for now," Brasero said. "There is a sense of injustice. This has upset everyone, his wife, his 
friends. Should we believe everything L'Equipe says? No."


Ginepri and Puerta received first-round byes. Kenneth Carlsen of Denmark edged Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador 7-6 (1), 7-6 (9), 
and Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand defeated Takahiro Terachi of Japan 6-1, 6-4.

In women's play, third-seeded Tatiana Golovin of France defeated Abigail Spears of the U.S. 6-4, 6-2; Sofia Arvidsson of 
Sweden upset seventh-seeded Shinobu Asagoe of Japan 2-6, 6-3, 6-4; and Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic rallied past 
Akiko Morigami of Japan 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.

Rain forced many of Wednesday's matches to be moved from the outdoor courts at Ariake Colloseum to the inside center court.


Puerta, who had been temporarily suspended in 2003 for doping, tested positive in two post-match urine tests for a stimulant 
whose use can carry up to a two-year ban, the newspaper reported. The tests were conducted by a lab in Chatenay-Malabry, 
southwest of Paris.

In August, L'Equipe reported Lance Armstrong used the performance-enhancing drug EPO to help win his first Tour de France 
in 1999. Armstrong denied the accusations, which the newspaper said was based on urine samples.

Puerta told associates that he had taken medication to fight the flu at the time of the Paris tournament, the report said 
without citing sources.

Etilefrine, which can be used to treat hypertension, is among the stimulants on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of 
banned substances. Use of the drug carries a ban of up two years.

ATP spokesperson Atsuko Isoyama said the organizer did not conduct doping tests for the event in Tokyo and there was no 
problem with Puerta playing in the tournament. She would not comment directly on the allegations.

"We have no comment because we have no clear evidence," she said, adding that Japan Tennis Association also has not 
received any official information from ITF. "ATP will not comment until an independent panel releases its ruling."

Puerta risks a life ban unless an investigation shows that he deserved a special dispensation, L'Equipe said.

His name will not be officially released in the case until an independent panel reviews the case according to the rules of 
tennis' governing body, the report said.

Puerta is one of five Argentine players caught up in doping cases in recent years. Guillermo Coria, Juan Ignacio Chela and 
Guillermo Canas served drug suspensions, while Martin Rodriguez received a warning for a positive caffeine test.

Puerta received a nine-month doping suspension after testing positive for clenbuterol, a drug whose effects resemble those 
of anabolic steroids by promoting muscle growth.

Currently 10th in the ATP rankings, Puerta lost in four sets to Nadal less than a year after returning from the suspension 
that dropped him to 440th.