Russian Nikolay Davydenko, under investigation by the ATP over an alleged betting scandal, thanked world number one Roger Federer for his support this week. Federer said in Moscow he believed fourth-ranked Davydenko was innocent.

"That was interesting," Davydenko told Reuters after losing 6-3 7-5 to unseeded Frenchman Michael Llodra in the second round of the World Indoor Tournament on Thursday.

"Roger has supported me from the beginning and I thank him for that."

Davydenko said he hoped Federer's comments might help to conclude the probe by the governing body of tennis.

Davydenko has been under almost constant scrutiny since a match he was involved in last year in Poland was the subject of irregular betting patterns.

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