American Bob Bryan, one half of the world's top-ranked doubles pair, has pulled out of the Davis Cup semi-final against Spain starting on Friday after aggravating a shoulder injury.
Bryan told the tournament website (www.daviscup.com) that he exacerbated the injury while winning the US Open doubles title with his twin brother Mike.
"I had to shut it down now. I can't even hit any balls," he said. Partner Mike Bryan, who has not played a tournament without his twin brother since 2002, said he had been practising with US Open quarter-finalist Mardy Fish. Captain Patrick McEnroe would not confirm if they would be the doubles pair.
"The shoulder has been bothering him since Wimbledon. It's been a long summer, he has been taking anti-inflammatories and it's pretty sore," Mike Bryan told a news conference in the Las Ventas bullring, which still stage the event.
"I'm not a doctor but I think it is pretty serious."
The US team, who will depend on Andy Roddick with 20-year-old Sam Querrey also included, face world number one Rafael Nadal and a strong Spanish team enjoying home advantage on their favourite clay surface.
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