Monfils withdraws from Madrid Masters through injury

MADRID, Oct 17 (Reuters) Frenchman Gael Monfils withdrew from the Madrid Open through injury today after torrential overnight rain delayed the start of the morning matches.

During the storm the roof in the Madrid Arena sprang a leak and organisers had to wait for workmen to lay out tarpaulin sheets to prevent further water entering the courts.

When play finally began Monfils had to retire when he was a set up in his match against Slovak Dominik Hrbaty.

The 20-year-old won the first set 6-3 and looked to be heading for a comfortable victory over Hrbaty. But he turned his right ankle badly while leaping into the air after a point in the second with the scores tied at 2-2 and had to retire after just 52 minutes.

It was the Frenchman's first tournament since sustaining a stress fracture in his left foot at the US Open where he lost in the second round to Wesley Moodie..

Hrbaty will now face the winner of tomorrow's match between defending champion and second seed Rafael Nadal and American Mardy Fish.

In the morning's other match Sweden's Robin Soderling notched up a straight sets victory over Belgian Olivier Rochus 6-3 6-4 to earn himself a second-round clash against 2003 winner Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Top seed and world number Roger Federer begins his bid to win a 10th title of the year later today when he meets 2003 finalist Nicolas Massu of Chile.

Andy Roddick, seeded six in Madrid, faces Sebastien Grosjean, fourth seed David Nalbandian meets Julien Benneteau and wild card Tim Henman will play Spain's David Ferrer.

REUTERS DH BST1831