Canas banned for doping violation

LONDON, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- The ATP has banned world No. 10 Guillermo Canas two years for a doping violation.

Canas is the fourth player from Argentina to be penalized for doping in the past four years, joining Juan Ignacio Chela (2001), 2004 French Open runner-up Guillermo Coria (2001) and 2005 French Open finalist Mariano Puerta.

Canas, 27, tested positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, or HCT, at an event in Acapulco in February. He won't be eligible to return to the tour until June 11, 2007 and insisted at a news conference in Buenos Aires that the ATP made a mistake.

"It was a lapse by the whole system at the Acapulco tournament," Canas said. "I never in my life thought they would give me the maximum sentence."

Canas, who has six singles and two doubles titles on the ATP circuit and has earned just over $3.8 million. As part of his penalty, he must repay $276,070 in prize money.