Injured Zvonareva pulls out of French Open

Paris: Two-time Grand Slam finalist Vera Zvonareva of Russia withdrew from the French Open shortly before her first-round match Monday, citing an injured right shoulder.

"My shoulder injury has still not healed," Zvonareva said. "So it's definitely not the best year. It's part of the sport and I have to find a way to get back and to be healthy again, so I can compete without pain."

The 11th-seeded Zvonareva was replaced in the draw by Sesil Karatantcheva of Kazakhstan, who lost in qualifying. Karatantcheva was to face Zvonareva's opponent, Timea Babos of Hungary.

The recurring injury might jeopardise Vera Zvonareva\'s participation at the London Olympics as well.

Karatantcheva was a quarterfinalist at age 15 at Roland Garros in 2005, when she upset Venus Williams in the third round.

Zvonareva has played only eight tournaments this year. She retired in the Pattaya Open and the Qatar Open in February and withdrew from Indian Wells in March because of that shoulder injury.

"I've had some issues with it before and it's been bothering me at the end of last year and early this year as well," Zvonareva said.

This recurring injury might jeopardise Zvonareva's participation at the London Olympics.

"I haven't seen a specialist and I haven't made any decision," Zvonareva said.

Zvonareva was the runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2010.

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