Wimbledon ladies champion Marion Bartoli has been forced to pull out of The Bank of the West Classic in Stanford with a hamstring injury.
Bartoli picked up the problem during her victorious Wimbledon campaign and has decided not to take any risks as she continues to be hampered by the injury.
The news comes as a big setback to Bartoli, who will now have to rethink her preparations for the US Open and will only begin her North American hardcourt season in Toronto on August 5th.
“The injury has not completely healed,” said Bartoli, who has reached the Stanford final three times.
It is also a big blow to tournament organisers, who have already seen superstar Maria Sharapova pull out, meaning world number four, Agnieszka Radwanska, is the only top 10 player left in the field.
Samantha Stosur is the only other player in the top 20 to make up the field of 28.
Bartoli has been replaced in the main draw by American Mallory Burdette, who is ranked 78th in the world.
Meanwhile, Bartoli has also been forced out of The Southern California Open which takes place the following week in Carlsbad, and will be replaced by Daniela Hantuchova.
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