Safin withdraws from Shanghai Masters
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-11-03 20:50

Australian Open champion Marat Safin ruled out competing in the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai due to a long-standing knee injury.

The 25-year-old Russian's absence leaves three qualification spots remaining for the season's finale with Argentine Guillermo Coria, Nikolay Davydenko of Russia and Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic in pole position.

Safin has been troubled by the knee problem throughout the season and has recently skipped events in Madrid and St Petersburg.

After also pulling out of the Paris Masters being played in the French capital this week, he confirmed on his official website that he will not be competing in China.

Safin, currently ranked fifth in the world, has not played since losing to American Robby Ginepri at the Cincinnati Masters quarter-finals in August.

The Masters Cup features the top eight players of the year, but Safin's withdrawal will open up another place.