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MONACO (AP) — Tenth-ranked Richard Gasquet has pulled out of the Monte Carlo Masters after failing to shake off a back injury.
Gasquet, who also missed France's Davis Cup quarterfinal win against Germany last weekend, hoped to take part in the tournament after returning to training this week.
"I only picked up the racket again on Tuesday, very steadily. But I've been in pain since yesterday and today, after 20 minutes of training, I couldn't carry on," Gasquet said on Saturday. "I could hardly even carry my bag. I thought things would be fine after 15 days without doing anything. But no, not at all."
His absence means 12th-ranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, initially facing Ernest Gulbis in the first round, moves up to ninth seed and has a bye into the second round.
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