Kuznetsova to miss US Open for 'recovery'

Moscow, Aug 21 - Two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova will miss the upcoming US Open to recover from injury.

Kuznetsova, Estonia’s world No.15 Kaia Kanepi and Italy’s 18th-ranked Flavia Pennetta were added to the US Open’s list of withdrawn players Monday, although organisers did not specify why any of the three had withdrawn.

“I’ve pulled out of the US Open,” Kuznetsova said on Twitter Tuesday.

“One of my very favourite events. I’m going to continue my recovery.”

Kuznetsova, the 2004 US Open champion and 2009 French Open winner, has spent several weeks away from competition with a knee injury.

Pennetta blamed a long-running wrist problem for her absence in a statement on Twitter Monday, while Kanepi missed Wimbledon last month with tendinitis.

Earlier this month, men’s No.3 Rafael Nadal withdrew from the tournament with tendinitis after missing the London Olympics.

Others missing the tournament include France’s Gael Monfils, Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero and British player Elena Baltacha.

Qualifying for the US Open starts Tuesday, with the main draw to be made Thursday and main draw play scheduled to start Monday.

The women’s final will be played Sep 8, with the men’s final a day later.