Two Spanish seeds out of Auckland Open

The big names continue to fall at the Auckland Open, with injury ruling out two world top 20 Spaniards.

Fifth seed and world No.17 Tommy Robredo pulled out of his clash with New Zealand’s Michael Venus on Wednesday after failing to recover from an adductor muscle injury sustained in training two days ago.

A few hours later, third seed and world No.15 Roberto Bautista Agut withdrew from his match against Adrian Mannarino of France three games into the second set with an illness.

They added to a tough week for tournament organisers following the earlier withdrawals of David Ferrer, John Isner and Gael Monfils and the controversial defeat of the Bryan brothers in the first round doubles.

Robredo said he had missed practising for a day and a half and it would be too risky to play.

“I don’t think it’s fair for the players and the tournament for a player to get on the court and play four or five games and as soon as I felt something, which I would for sure, to withdraw. It could make me worse for next week.”

Robredo said the injury put him in doubt “obviously, a little bit” for next week’s Australian Open.

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