TENNIS:Indian authorities yesterday launched an inquiry into whether any of their Davis Cup players since 1996 had been approached by illegal bookmakers to lose matches. The announcement came a day after doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi revealed he had spurned such an attempt.

"The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has taken a serious note of the revelation made by Mahesh Bhupathi in respect of Indian Davis Cup tie against Holland in February 1996," it said in a statement yesterday. "It is necessary for India as a nation to protect its image and integrity."

Bhupathi, who is competing at the Australian Open, said he turned down an approach to lose a match in the World Group tie at home where India upset the Dutch.