Injury forces holder Nadal out of China Open

BEIJING, Sep 9 (Reuters) Defending champion Rafael Nadal has pulled out of next week's China Open because of an ankle injury, organisers said today.

The world number two, who was knocked out of the U.S. Open quarter-finals by Mikhail Youzhny this week, would have been top seed at the 500,000 dollar tournament at the Beijing Tennis Centre.

''I am really sorry to my fans in China as I was looking forward to come Beijing and defend my title,'' the 20-year-old Spaniard was quoted as saying on the tournament's official website.

''I injured my ankle in my previous match and despite treatment, it was not better during my quarter-final which hampered my movement. I need to rest and have treatment so that I can return to training and competition as soon as possible.'' Nadal said he planned to return to the Chinese capital in 2007 and to play in the Masters Cup final in Shanghai later this year.

''I hope to be able to return to China in November and also back to the China Open next year,'' he said.

REUTERS PM VC1602