Spain's Feliciano pulls out of Brasil Open

Sao Paulo, Feb 10 (IANS/EFE) Spain's Feliciano Lopez has pulled out of the Brasil Open here, where he was the top-seed, due to an injury he sustained at the Ecuador Open over the weekend.

The 33-year-old Lopez was injured in the final of the tournament in Quito Sunday, organisers said Monday.

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) notified the organisers of the Brazil Open, which started Monday, that the world No.14 was withdrawing from the event at Sao Paulo's Ibirapuera Park.

"Lopez suffered a contusion in the right thigh in the final of the ATP 250 in Quito, played Sunday, and had to get medical attention during the final," organisers said.

The Spaniard lost 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5) to Dominican Republic's Victor Estrella.

Argentina's Federico Delbonis is seeking to defend his title at the Brazil Open, an ATP 250 event.

Spain's Tommy Robredo is another one of the favourites in the tournament, which offers $505,655 in prize money.

Fernando Verdasco, Pablo Andujar, Pablo Carreno, Albert Ramos and Nicolas Almagro, who won the Brazil Open in 2008, 2011 and 2012, are the other Spanish players competing at the event.

The Brazil Open ends Feb 15.

--IANS/EFE

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