The link below shows a talk by an Estionian researcher Katarina Pijetlovic, giving an exposition on draw fixing at a Corruption in Sport Symposium in Koln.
Katarina's talk starts at around 13 minutes:
http://www.livestream.com/playthegame_dshs/video?clipId=pla_44809e94-aa04-46c7-9f1e-35b212ba9d46
She examines the pattern of draws at slam tournaments (French Open was not part of the study) between 2007-2011, drawing the conclusion that ITF organised draw fixing on behalf of Nike seeing that Djokovic fell in Federer's half of the draw statistically virtually impossible 12 out of 12 times.
Roland Garros was not taken into the study as it showed a healthy 50/50 pattern.
Interesting facts, e.g. I didn't know that seeds 3 and 4 are drawn by hand unlike all the other seeds/players that are computer drawn.
Draws are apparently public and televised, but not really accessible anywhere on Youtube.
To me, the most blatant example of draw fixing was the Isner Mahut match played in the first round last year ON COURT 18, just like at the record breaking match the year before!!!
Katarina did the research hoping it would interest sports journalists and encourage them to contact the players and ITF.
So far nothing came out of it.
Have a look with an open mind and share your thoughts.
Draw Fixing: An Official Study
posted on 13/7/12
What I find amusing is that you are dismissing the possibility of rigging cause the study is poorly presented (essentially isolating the FO) but you do not realise, it seems, that you are also isolating the key study that proves beyond reasonable doubt that draws have been rigged (ESPN).
where is the logic???
posted on 14/7/12
Tenez,
you are forgetting that HB is a BALANCED poster...
posted on 15/7/12
The data of the ESPN study shows US Open draws to produce a very unlikely result so it could be a fix. On the other hand it is only one tournament in one sport and there are hundreds of tournaments with no such suspicion, so it could be nothing more than statistical fluke.
posted on 15/7/12
HB,
you are infuriating with your thinking cowardice.
posted on 15/7/12
"thinking cowardice".?? What a bizarre, utterly inane and unecessarily aggressive comment. You have already made your mind up about the issue, blindly ignore all evidence to the contrary and are just infuriated by people who don't share the same view as you. You have a hopelessly narrow minded viewpoint on this debate.
posted on 15/7/12
"You have a hopelessly narrow minded viewpoint on this debate. "
what makes you think you are different?
posted on 15/7/12
The data of the ESPN study shows US Open draws to produce a very unlikely result so it could be a fix.
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You see. Why do you use "could" when clearly it is a fix... you simply do not want to admit it cause if you do then the semis being also possibly fixed becomes a reality. I am sure you know the software used to do the draws is the same for Wimbledon and the AO.
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On the other hand it is only one tournament in one sport and there are hundreds of tournaments with no such suspicion, so it could be nothing more than statistical fluke.
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Clearly you do not know your stats and cannot draw logical conclusions out of data.
I agree with NITB that one has to be very narrow minded to refuse to see fixing for the USO and an extremely high possibility of semi fixing too.
This is about weird data and patterns....nothing to do with opinions. Anyone who do not acknowledge the weird patterns doesn't understand stats or more likely refuses to admit they could be wrong in the first place.
posted on 16/7/12
I'm beginning to see that just like in most other things in life, this draw-fixing issue is just another example of either believing or not believing.
No amount of scientific proof would convince those who don't want to believe.
Doesn't matter.
posted on 16/7/12
I wish we could prove the existence of God based on simple stats.
posted on 16/7/12