Wildcard Mario Ancic, one half of what would have been the feature clash of the first round of the Heineken Open tennis tournament in Auckland, has withdrawn, stricken by an on-going virus.
The Croatian, a former top-10 player now ranked 83rd, was due to meet fourth-seeded Spaniard JuanCarlos Ferrero, the former French Open champion, today.
But he pulled out on doctors' advice after going to hospital for tests.
Ancic, who has been coming to Auckland for the past five years and was a finalist in 2006, has been hit by injuries and bad luck over the past 18 months.
He arrived in New Zealand this time having withdrawn from the Adelaide International last week without hitting a ball because of the same illness, which left him with a temperature and vomiting.
He had a practice session on Saturday for the first time in 10 days, but began vomiting again the next day.
"It's been very frustrating because you know what I've been through and I worked very hard, almost six weeks, to be fit for the new season," he said.
"I like this tournament a lot and I hoped it would be a great start to the year and a turning point, but it's not to be. I'll still keep my head high and do the best I can."
Ancic, 23, said he would wait a few days before deciding whether he could play in the Australian Open, which begins next Monday, but didn't fancy his chances.
"If it wasn't the Australian Open, I would straight away tell you no, but it's a Grand Slam," he said.
"I'll prolong the decision but it's a very small chance, I would have to say. It's not looking good."
RESULTS FROM TODAY:
Singles, first round: Sergio Roitman (Argentina) beat Lukas Rosol (Czech) 6-2 7-5, Nicolas Massu (Chile) beat G D Jones (NZ) 6-4 6-2, 7-Philipp Kohlschreiber (Germany) beat Michael Russell (US) 7-5 6-2
