Rusedski to face Chela

Greg Rusedski will face Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela – a player once banned for taking drugs – in the first round of the adidas international in Sydney.

It will be the British number two’s first match since he revealed he had tested positive for nandrolone in Indianapolis last July.

Chela was suspended from competition on the ATP Tour and Grand Slam circuit for three months in 2001 after a positive test for a banned steroid.

He was tested at a Masters Series event during the summer of 2000 and was found to have taken methyltestosterone, which is prohibited under anti-doping rules.

The ban took effect on March 31, 2001. He was also fined €8,500, the prizemoney that he earned in Cincinnati, and forfeited all ranking points gained from that date.

The winner of Chela’s clash with Rusedski could face home favourite and fourth seed Mark Philippoussis in the second round.