TENNIS'S governing body has moved to try to appease fans after they were bombarded by complaints that the sell-out Davis Cup semi final featuring Andy Murray in Glasgow were being sold by touts for up to £1,399.

Fans condemned the handling of the public sale for the big match against Australia at the Emirates Arena on September 18-20.

Thousands of fans got up early to snap up the chance to attend the historic event.

But a promised link failed to appear before the 7am ticket sale and minutes later they were sold out - with one fan complaining one resale website was selling them for £1,399 each, over 14 times their original face value.

Hundreds of tickets became available through resale and ticket exchange agencies including eBay company Stubhub for up to £750, Viagogo for up to £700, and the Ticketmaster firms Seatwave and Get Me In! for £500 and £750 respectively.

The face value of tickets ranged between £40 and £95 for each day of the three day tennis clash.

The LTA warned disgruntled fans who might contemplate paying the inflated prices to get tickets from touts, that they might become invalid.

"Demand for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semi-final tie between Great Britain and Australia has been extremely high and we are sorry that not everyone has been able to secure a ticket. The LTA tries to ensure that tickets for its events are sold to genuine fans," the LTA said.

"The LTA takes the issue of unofficial ticket selling seriously. For the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semi-final tie between Great Britain and Australia, The Ticket Factory is the only ticket agency authorised to sell tickets on behalf of the LTA.

"Selling tickets through unofficial means is against the LTA’s terms and conditions and may allow prices to be inflated and prevent many fans from attending. Anyone considering buying tickets from the unofficial sources runs the risk of being unable to enter on the day as the ticket may have been cancelled."

The sale got off to what some fans described as a calamitous start when due to "technical issues" on the website, they were unable to publish the ticket link.

"We understand that this would have been frustrating for those hoping to purchase tickets," said the LTA.

"The vast majority of customers purchased directly through ticket factory, our ticketing provider or via the venue website.

"We are working with our service provider to get a full picture on why the issues occurred."

One would-be customer Sarah Carlyle from Finestrat in Spain was dejected as she had booked flights to Glasgow for the Davis Cup and wanted to take her 93-year-old mother who lives in Wishaw.

"Myself and four others tried on phones and online. When the site 'opened' tickets were sold out a minute later. How is this possible? So disappointed."

Fans also registered their disgust on social media.

Linda Simpson said: "It's time something was done about these ticket touts. I didnt get any tickets for the Davis Cup either day. Not the only 1."

Scoobs said: "How were Davis Cup tickets sold in 15m as site had tech issues?"

David McDonald added: "Davis cup tickets on eBay for £725. Utter disgrace for true fans. Don't think @andy_murray would approve!"

A spokesman for Viagogo said: "There are actually many sellers offering tickets for this event on Viagogo at around £225. People asking for silly prices are not going to sell at those prices. That's why they are still for sale.

"It is perfectly legal to resell a ticket if you want to, either for more or less than you paid for it, as it would be just to give it to someone else.

"Most people believe that if you own something, it's yours, and you should be able to do what you want with it."