Injury forces Fabio Fognini to pull out of Marseille

Italian tennis star Fabio Fognini, 32, has withdrawn from Marseille due to a left calf injury and he won't be making his debut appearance at the tournament next week. 

Fognini, ranked at No. 11 in the world, pulled out of last week's Montpelier but returned to competitive action this week in Rotterdam. 

Playing in his first tournament since the Australian Open, the Italian didn't impress as he suffered a straight-set defeat to Russia's Karen Khachanov in his Rotterdam opener. 

Fognini, who achieved his career-high ranking of No. 9 in the world, is scheduled to play next in Dubai, which will take place between February 24-29. 

Following the withdrawal of Fognini, a place in the Marseille main draw has opened for world No. 67 Mikhail Kukushkin, who is now set to make his third consecutive appearance at the event. 

The 32-year-old picked up a first round loss in his Marseille debut two years ago but impressed last year as he made the final before falling short to world No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas in a tight two-set battle. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/31XCxFt