Wickmayer to face anti-doping tribunal

Belgian US Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer and compatriot Xavier Malisse must appear before a Belgian anti-doping commission after violating its rules, Belgian news agency Belga reported on Thursday.

Wickmayer broke the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) "whereabouts" rule three times in the past 18 months, Belga said, citing a spokesman for the Flemish Doping Tribunal.

Under the rule, athletes must tell their national anti-doping authorities where they will be at a chosen hour between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. each day for a three-month period.

If they change plans they are obliged to inform the authorities. Athletes who miss three doping tests over an 18-month period face possible suspension.

Malisse, ranked 153rd in the world, broke the whereabouts rules twice and missed a doping test, Belga said.

He will have to justify his absence in front of a disciplinary commission on Oct. 8. Wickmayer will be heard on Oct. 22, the agency added.