Schuettler wins Olympic decision

Schuettler leapt up the rankings after reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals

Germany's Rainer Schuettler has won the right to play in the Olympic tennis competition, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) has said.

The world number 34 filed a case with Cas on Sunday, claiming the International Tennis Federation (ITF) unfairly denied him a place in Beijing.

His ranking originally precluded him from the competition, but a number of players have subsequently withdrawn.

Schuettler, 32, has been selected by the German Olympic Committee.

A statement from Cas said: "Rainer Schuettler is declared entitled to participate in the men's single tennis tournament of the Olympic Games in Beijing."

It added: "The Cas panel found that Rainer Schuettler was among the top players eligible for the Olympic tournament according to the ITF criteria set up in their rules and that there was a discretion in the German NOC to enter players of its choice from amongst such players."

In an angry response, the ITF said it was "disturbed" by the decision.

"While recognising the German NOC may not understand how professional tennis works, there is no excuse for Mr Schuettler, who is prepared to take a place earned by his compatriot Denis Gremelmayr and of next alternate Michael Berrer," said an ITF statement.

The Olympic tennis tournament takes place in Beijing from 10-17 August.

The ITF used the ATP and WTA rankings on 9 June as a guide to determine who gets the 56 direct spots in the men's and women's singles competitions.

Schuettler was ranked 89th on 9 June, but jumped to number 39 in the world on 7 July following his surprise run to the semi-finals of Wimbledon.

Six of the remaining eight spots in the Olympic tournament were given out by the ITF's Olympic Committee.

Each country, however, was limited to a maximum of six players in each tournament, with up to four competing in singles and up to two teams in doubles.