Gael Monfils set to miss Monte Carlo Masters for third year in row
French tennis star Gael Monfils has withdrawn from the Monte Carlo Masters due to a right ankle injury.
Monfils, 32, hasn't played since the Indian Wells Masters.
The 32-year-old's promising Indian Wells run ended with a shocking withdrawal from his quarter-final clash against Austrian Dominic Thiem.
Just minutes before the match, the Frenchman pulled out due to Achilles tendon problem.
Monfils, ranked at No. 19 in the world, appeared to be ready to return to competitive action in Monte Carlo.
The Monte Carlo main draw was already made when the former world No. 6 withdrew from the tournament.
Monfils has made 10 appearances at the Monte Carlo event so far in his career.
The latest withdrawal means that the Frenchman won't be playing on the clay of Monte Carlo for the third year in a row.
The 32-year-old's best Monte Carlo result came in 2016 when he ended runner-up in the final to Spain's Rafael Nadal.
A year earlier, Monfils made the semi-final before losing to eventual runner-up Tomas Berdych.
It remains to be seen will the Frenchman be forced to also withdraw from any of the upcoming clay events.
Meanwhile, rising British star Kyle Edmund has moved into Monfils' spot in the Monte Carlo draw and will be facing Argentina's Diego Schwartzman in the first round.
Edmund, 24, will be hoping to put on a good Monte Carlo campaign as his previous two appearances at the tournament ended with a second-round defeat two years ago and a first round exit last year respectively.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2XdDl5n
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