Injury forces fifth seed Safin to withdraw

Fifth seed Marat Safin has withdrawn from the US Open because the knee injury which sidelined the Russian tennis player for seven weeks earlier this year is still troubling him.

Safin, 25, admitted two weeks ago that he had returned to the tour against doctors' advice to try to prepare for the US Open, one of his favourite events. He won his first grand slam title at Flushing Meadows in 2000.

"Although Marat wanted more than anything to play and has tried whatever he could to be ready, as a professional player he has had to admit his body is saying it is too soon," said a statement on Safin's personal website.