Roundup: Slovak is banned for taking steroid, By:  Associated Press

February 13, 2006, Bloomberg News

Tennis

Karol Beck of Slovakia was suspended for two years by the International Tennis Federation on Monday after testing positive for a steroid during last year's Davis Cup semifinal.

Beck, 23, tested positive for clenbuterol after Slovakia's 4-1 victory over Argentina on Sept. 24. Beck won in singles and doubles for Slovakia, which lost to Croatia in the final. The federation said the suspension would be backdated until Nov. 1, 2005, and run until Oct. 31, 2007.

Beck, whose case was heard by an independent anti-doping tribunal, has three weeks to appeal. He is ranked 85th on the ATP Tour. Beck's results in the semifinal are automatically disqualified, although the overall result of the tie will not be reassessed. Beck's ranking points and $42,935 prize money since the test are forfeited.

In December, Mariano Puerta of Argentina was banned for eight years - the longest suspension in tennis history - for his second doping violation. (AP)