Nishikori skips Cincinnati Masters due to injury

[August 14, 2017]    (Reuters) - Japan's Kei Nishikori has become the latest top 10 player to pull out of this week's Cincinnati Masters after the world number nine withdrew from the U.S. Open warmup event due to pain from a long-standing right wrist injury.

Kei Nishikori of Japan hits a backhand against Gael Monfils of France (not pictured) during the Rogers Cup tennis tournament at Uniprix Stadium. Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

The 27-year-old, who had been seeded fifth and given a first-round bye, had flown to the host city before making the call to withdraw.

"Unfortunately I will not be able to play in Cincy," Nishikori wrote in English on his official app.

"Today (Sunday) during practice I felt a sharp pain in my right wrist and we are now visiting with the medical specialists to discuss the diagnosis. We will provide more details after we have more information."

Nishikori joins world number one Andy Murray, last year's champion Marin Cilic, U.S. Open winner Stan Wawrinka and 12-times major champ Novak Djokovic on the list of players skipping the event through injury.

Both Wawrinka (knee) and Djokovic (elbow) have opted to end their seasons early to recover from their ailments, while Murray (hip) faces the prospect of losing his top ranking should either Rafa Nadal or Roger Federer win the Cincinnati event.

The U.S. Open is the final grand slam of the year and runs from Aug. 28-Sept. 10 in New York.

(Writing by John O'Brien in Singapore; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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