Wrist injury threatens Clijsters' Open defence

MONTREAL, Aug 17 (Reuters) US Open champion Kim Clijsters has pulled out of the Rogers Cup event in Montreal with a wrist injury less than two weeks before she was due to open the defence of her title in New York.

The world number two, who battled back from a career-threatening wrist injury last year, retired while leading Canadian wildcard Stephanie Dubois 6-1 2-3 in her second-round match yesterday.

''I'm going to have an MRI done Thursday and see what the doctors say,'' top-seeded Clijsters told reporters.

''I have to wait and see what the tests show to see if there is any damage.'' Clijsters, the defending champion in Montreal, called for the trainer when she was leading the second set 2-1 but when she fell in game six she decided to retire from the match.

''It was hurting and then I slipped and landed on it in the worst possible position,'' said the 23-year-old.

Clijsters, whose early season schedule was hampered by her recovery from wrist and ankle injuries, has lost in the semi-finals of the Australian and French Opens, and Wimbledon this year.

Dubois, the world number 153, shed tears once Clijsters had conceded the match.

''I feel sorry for her because she got injured,'' Dubois told reporters.

''I didn't feel good for her because she played so well and she won last year and I was crying because I didn't realise what was happening. I just let my emotions go.'' The US Open starts in New York on Aug. 28.

REUTERS PM BS1101