France's [ Images ] Richard Gasquet has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Monday.

"He's under investigation with respect to ITF's anti-doping programme. Under WADA terms, once B sample confirms A sample, we have to provisionally suspend him," Stuart Miller, the ITF's head of Science and Technical, said.

"From the point of B sample being known to the end of hearing, it should be no longer than 60 days."

Gasquet confirmed on Sunday he had failed the test at last month's Miami [ Images ] tournament but has denied any wrongdoing.

Until this year, tennis players who had failed drugs test could continue to play in tournaments until they had a chance to appeal the findings.

It was only if they failed to clear their names at a tribunal would the ITF hand out bans to the players.

From January this year the ITF have followed the rules of the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) and hence have suspended Gasquet before the Frenchman has had a chance to contest the samples.

Under WADA rules, athletes must stop playing within 10 days of being notified of the findings of the A sample.

On Sunday the 22-year-old Gasquet said he had a hair sample tested by an independent lab "which showed no trace of cocaine".

"Given the complexity of the case, I am gathering the evidence of my innocence and will later set a date to make further comments," he added.

Gasquet had pulled out of the Sony Ericsson Open without playing a match, citing a shoulder injury.

If Gasquet fails to clear his name, he could face a two-year suspension from the sport.