Safin pulls out of Aussie Open

Marat Safin has withdrawn from the Australian Open with a wrist injury.

The third seed came into the tournament with concerns surrounding his fitness after defaulting from the adidas International in Sydney last week.

On that occasion it was his right shoulder that was causing him difficulties, so much so that he could not serve.

The Russian, whose latest problem is believed to be tendinitis in his left wrist, was scheduled to play number 31 seed Rainer Schuettler in the third round for a place in the last 16.

Schuettler will now face either James Blake or Alberto Martin.