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1/11/10 4:17 PM | Ricky Dimon
David Nalbandian withdraws from the Heineken Open on Monday, delaying his long-awaited return to tennis. The week in Auckland is off to a better start, however, for Thomaz Bellucci and Jurgen Melzer.
The injury bug has struck David Nalbandian yet again.
Nalbandian, who missed most of 2009 due to hip surgery, suffered an abdominal strain in a recent practice and withdrew from this week's Heineken Open. It also throws his status for the Australian Open into serious doubt.
"I am very disappointed not to be able to make my comeback this week at the Heineken Open," said Nalbandian, a former world No. 3 who is now ranked 63rd. "I didn't play much tennis for eight months so it is natural to suffer some small injuries. Although I am disappointed at the moment, I remain confident and positive about making a full-time comeback to the tour soon."
Nalbandian last played in May, losing to Paul Capdeville 6-2, 6-2 in Estoril. His most recent match victory came in April over Nicolas Almagro in the Barcelona third round, but Nalbandian then withdrew from a quarterfinal matchup with Rafael Nadal.
The 28-year-old Argentine has been replaced in the Heineken Open draw by Spaniard Inigo Cervantes-Huegun, who will take on No. 5 seed Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Monday action in Auckland saw victories by Thomaz Bellucci and Jurgen Melzer. Bellucci rolled over Marco Chiudinelli 6-3, 6-3 in a battle of in-form players. The 22-year-old Brazilian, who is at his best on clay and thrives from the baseline, never dropped serve in the 64-minute match.
Melzer, seeded sixth, scraped his way past Fabio Fognini 5-7, 6-3, 6-2. After dropping the first set in part due to four double-faults, Melzer did not face a single break point the entire rest of the way.
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and it sounds like Nadlbandian will be out for the Australian. tough luck.
RickyDimon , 1/11/10 6:38 PM
aw no. i don't like him when he beats rafa, but he's always very interesting to watch. can thrash anyone when he so feels like it
hope he recovers soon
Sib69 , 1/11/10 9:05 PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
vrael , 1/12/10 8:49 AM
thats a disaster
atul1985 , 1/12/10 9:03 AM
OUCH that hurts RickyDimon, lets hope he can recover as quick as possible .
Believe , 1/12/10 1:01 PM
Sibb, I don't think he'll beat Rafa again, Rafa bagled him in IW remember.
carrie , 1/12/10 9:37 PM
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The heineken open is played in Auckland, New Zealand, and NOT in sydney.
lolethhh , 1/11/10 6:09 PM