Juan Martin del Potro is the second top-10 star to withdraw from Roland Garros.
Paris, France (Sports Network) -
Former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro has pulled out of the 2013 French Open after failing to recover from a virus.
The world No. 7 from Argentina reached the quarterfinals in Paris last year.
"I am sad to miss such an important tournament, one that you always dream of winning," said del Potro.
The 6-foot-6 slugger is the second top-10 star to withdraw from Roland Garros, which will start on Sunday, joining reigning U.S. Open champ Andy Murray, who pulled out Tuesday due to a back injury.
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Roland Garros 2013: Nadal eyes another prize
By Scott Riley, Tennis Editor
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
The 2013 French Open will swing into action on Sunday and Rafael Nadal will be there as your three-time defending champion.
Novak Djokovic is the current world No. 1 and will be the top seed at the 2013 Parisian fortnight, but the former top-ranked Nadal is still the man to beat on the crushed red brick at Stade Roland Garros.
The mighty Nadal has captured an Open Era-record seven French Open titles, losing only once there in his brilliant career (52-1). The mighty Spaniard was slowed mightily by a pair of sore knees when he was shocked by Swedish slugger Robin Soderling in the fourth round back in 2009. Nadal avenged that setback by beating Soderling in the final the following year.
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