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| Thomas Johansson © Action Images |
Sweden's former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson on
Tuesday became the first major casualty for next week's Soweto Open
when he withdrew from the event because of a lingering foot
injury.
Johannson, whose ranking among the world's top ten players has
plummeted to 162nd position after battling his present injury for
over a year, was also a late withdrawal from the recent South
African Open at Montecasino.
He vowed at the time to make amends and play in South Africa as
soon as possible - claiming the Soweto Open, a Challenger event on
the ATP circuit, would be an ideal occasion "because I had heard so
much about the area and dearly loved to see it at first-hand.
"Unfortunately it will not now be possible," he informed South
African Tennis Association CEO Ian Smith, "But I remain keen to
play in South Africa again at the first opportunity."
Johannson played in last year's South African Open in East
London, a Challenger event on the ATP circuit before the elevation
of the event to a position on the ATP's main circuit this year.
He reached the semifinals before losing a thrilling encounter
to Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic, the eventual winner of the tournament.
"It is unfortunate to lose a player of Johannson's stature,"
said Smith. "However, added Sata's CEO, "we have a host of other
international competitors of the calibre of Fabrice Santoro,
Gilles Muller, Austria's Stefan Koubek, Brazilian Thiago Alves and
our own Davis Cup stalwart, Rik De Voest, to ensure a highly
successful tournament."
Johannson's place in the draw will be taken by Australian Joseph
Sirianni.
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