Brisbane:
Russia's world number two Dinara Safina has pulled out of January's Brisbane international tennis tournament, organisers said on Friday.
Safina has advised tournament officials she is withdrawing from the event due to a back injury.
Brisbane International tournament director Steve Ayles said Safina was disappointed she would not be attending the tournament.
"Safina was very much looking forward to starting her year in Brisbane and it is a real shame that she will not be fit in time to attend," Ayles said.
"I know she would have been working around the clock to try to be ready for the event, but in the end time has beat her and she is still undergoing treatment."