Local favourite Gael Monfils pulls out of French Open

The 29-year-old Frenchman is the second high-profile withdrawal in as many days after world number three Roger Federer pulled out of the year's second Grand Slam on Thursday, citing a lack of fitness.

Monfils, who reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open this year, has had a mixed tour so far, not getting past the second round in Madrid or Rome this month.

He did however reach the final of the Monte Carlo Masters in April, showing some superb form as he did so.

Monfils has never gone past the semi-finals of the French Open and was knocked out in the fourth round by Federer last year.

Monfils having to pull out represents a significant blow for the tournament. Not only is the eccentric Frenchman a huge local favourite at Roland Garros, he also provides near-constant entertainment with his amusing antics between points and wild trick shots. Clearly, though, the 29-year-old has made the right decision in withdrawing from the tournament given the virus he has been battling. Now even more pressure will no doubt be heaped on the shoulders of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet, among others.