Hip injury forces Philipp Kohlschreiber to withdraw from Barcelona
German tennis player Philipp Kohlschreiber has withdrawn from the Barcelona Open due to a hip issue.
World No. 41 Kohlschreiber played in the opening two weeks of the 2019 clay season.
The German had a round-of-16 showing in Marrakech before he lost in the Monte Carlo Masters second round.
Kohlschreiber has featured on the clay of Barcelona seven times so far in his career.
Former world No. 16 Kohlschreiber debuted at the Barcelona event long ago in 2005, when he suffered a straight-set first-round defeat against former Belgian star Xavier Malisse.
The German has had two deep runs in Barcelona but has never won it all at the tournaments.
The 35-year-old made the Barcelona semi-final in 2013 and 2016.
Kohlschreiber's 2013 campaign ended with a defeat suffered to Nicolas Almagro, while 17-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal prevented him from making the final three years ago.
In his last Barcelona appearance, the German lost in the second round to rising South-Korean star Hyeon Chung.
Kohlschreiber will be replaced by Argentina's Guido Andreozzi, who won the lucky loser spot.
The 27-year-old tried to earn a main draw spot through the qualifying event over the weekend but failed in his attempt.
Andreozzi, ranked at No. 97 in the world, beat home-favorite Tommy Robredo in his qualifying opener before he lost to Portuguese Pedro Sousa in the final round.
Yet, Andreozzi is set to make his main draw debut in Barcelona as he will be facing Tunisian Malek Jaziri in the first round.
from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2ZBwi8G
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