Guillermo Canas was delighted after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced his ban from two years to 15 months.

The 29-year-old was banned by the ATP after testing positive for hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) at an ATP tournament in Acapulco, Mexico in February 2005.

The arbitration panel found that Canas had taken a medication called "Rofucal", given to him by the tournament staff in Acapulco although the tournament doctor prescribed a different medication.

The panel believed the negligence committed by the player was not significant and decided that his period of ineligibility should be reduced.

Speaking in Buenos Aires, Canas said: "I thank everybody for the backing offered, especially my manager, my physical trainer and my girlfriend. I'm happy with the decision and feeling good."

Canas, who can return to the ATP Tour on September 11, added: "During this year, I've lived a lot of things. It's been very hard for me.

"But I can finally say that we won the fight to clear my name. I feel clean and with the same security I had on the first day."

And Canas is very optimistic about the future and believes he can get back into the world's top 10.

He said: "I've been training to be as well as possible. It's a pleasure to say that I'll be playing in three months time.

"My goal is to be in the top places as soon as possible. I know I can achieve it. To be on a tennis court is the thing I love most."