Former Betfair executive Scott Ferguson believes Pinnacle Sports suspended betting on a mixed doubles match at the Australian Open in a "cheap grab at free publicity" as Betfair and the tournament's betting partner, William Hill, reported no suspicious activity on the match.
With debate surrounding recent match-fixing allegations dominating the headlines, a report in The New York Times on Monday intensified speculation after revealing a major sports gambling website had suspended betting on a mixed doubles match after unusually high bets were placed leading into the contest. 
Pinnacle Sports suspended betting on a match between Lara Arruabarrena and David Marrero against Andrea Hlavackova and Lukasz Kubot, because large amounts of money had been wagered on what would normally be an obscure contest.
Marrero later cited a knee injury for hindering his performance in the straight-sets loss. Hlavackova and Kubot won 6-0, 6-3 with the first set lasting only 20 minutes.
But Mr Ferguson, who still works as a wagering industry consultant, believes Marrero appears to have previously raised suspicion in regards to inside information, which is why Pinnacle chose to suspend the match he was involved in.
"Honestly, I think it's a cheap grab at free publicity from Pinnacle," the former head of education at Betfair told Fairfax Media.
"[It] won't have cost them anything to switch the match off, contact a couple of journos, and here we go, watch our name get splashed everywhere across the globe.
"Insider info on the injury highly likely. Pinnacle would have [Marrero] flagged from other matches, easy name to 'out' for being dodgy."
The Tennis Integrity Unit contacted Hlavackova and Kubot after the match, but the pair insist there was nothing suspicious about their opponents. "Yes, they were trying 100 per cent," Kubot said.
Hlavackova and Kubot said names should not have been published without proof.
Betfair had only $11,000 in total bets placed on the first-round match, and - even after being informed of Pinnacle's decision - kept markets open, including for in-play betting. William Hill reported no suspicious activity for the same match, with less than five bets placed on the fixture.
"Less than five bets were placed on the outcome of the match, each at stakes below $5 per bet," a William Hill spokesperson said. "The product fee agreement in place between William Hill Australia and Tennis Australia insures Tennis Australia and the Tennis Integrity Unit have full access to betting activity on all matches sanctioned by Tennis Australia."
It is understood Pinnacle Sports, which is based in the Caribbean, does not have the same agreement in place.
Head of sportsbook at the Pinnacle Sports website, Marco Blume, said the site opened betting on the match early in the morning, US time, on   January 21.
He said that by the morning of the 23rd, so much money was pouring in on the Hlavackova/Kubot side that Pinnacle drastically altered its odds to attract betting on the other side. Pinnacle also reduced the maximum amount for a single bet, from $500 to $100.
But, he said, heavy bets kept coming in on the Hlavackova/Kubot side. Just nine minutes after reducing the betting maximum, he said, traders on the Pinnacle floor suspended betting on the match. Victoria Police was informed of the possible fix.
"My traders have a very high sensitivity to all incoming betting," Mr Blume said, particularly for a doubles match that would normally attract little action.
With Ben Rothenberg and James Glanz