Wimbledon was at the centre of a match-fixing investigation today involving bets totalling more than £1 million.

Tennis authorities acted after being alerted to suspicious betting patterns on a first-round match watched by a handful of spectators.

The suspected sting saw thousands of pounds staked in cash at several London bookmakers and £1 million on an internet betting exchange.

The Tennis Integrity Unit, which investigates corruption on behalf of the game's governing body, has launched an inquiry into 26th seed Jürgen Melzer's straight sets defeat of world No109 Wayne Odesnik on Court 14 yesterday.

Online betting exchange Betfair said odds on a straight sets victory for Melzer tumbled to 1-5 from their pre-match level of evens.

Only £1,000 out of the £255,000 staked on Betfair's correct-score market went on results other than a 3-0 win for the Austrian. In total £1 million was staked on the match on Betfair, £350,000 of it as play went on. Bookmaker Paddy Power suspended betting after large amounts of cash went down specifically on a 3-0 result. The match finished 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. Ladbrokes also withdrew odds.

Melzer, 28, the world No 30, was always the favourite for the match against Odesnik, 23, who arrived in Britain on Saturday.

He had been spotted the night before the match at an O'Neills pub in Earl's Court, but insisted he was only there “for dinner”.

When questioned about the betting patterns after the match, the American said he had never been approached by anyone wanting to make a corrupt profit from a tennis match.

He confirmed speculation posted on betting forums before the match that he had been carrying an injury.

Tennis authorities are monitoring up to 12 players who have been allegedly involved in suspect matches.