Injured Somdev withdraws from Chennai Open

Chennai: Indian ace tennis star Somdev Devvarman pulled out of the ATP Chennai Open on Monday because of a recurring shoulder injury.

"With great disappointment, I have to inform the fans and organisers of the Chennai Open 2012 that due to a recurring shoulder injury I will not be able to participate in this year's event," said Somdev, a finalist here in 2009.

"Keeping the Australian Open in mind, my doctors have advised me to take this decision. I wish the tournament all the success and look forward to be back next year - fitter and stronger."

Edouard Roger-Vasselin from France will replace Somdev in the singles field and will play against countryman Prodon. Roger-Vasselin finds a place in the main draw as a lucky loser in the qualifiers, where he lost to Japanese Go Soeda 4-6, 6-7(5).

In the singles draw, Somdev, the highest-ranked Indian at 84, was scheduled to play against Frenchman Eric Prodon, while in the doubles competition, he and his partner Treat Conrad Huey were pitted against the third-seeded pair of India's leading doubles player Leander Paes and Janko Tipsarevic, the World No. 9 and top-seeded singles player in the Chennai Open.