Injured Hingis pulls out of Italian Open

ROME, May 11 (Reuters) Defending champion Martina Hingis has pulled out of next week's Italian Open in Rome with a back injury, the tournament organisers announced today.

The 26-year-old Swiss, who also won the claycourt title in 1998 and finished runner-up in 1996, took the decision after slumping to a straight-sets defeat against Patty Schnyder in the third round of the German Open in Berlin yesterday.

Hingis is the second big-name player to pull out of Rome this week, after world number two Maria Sharapova announced she would not be taking part due to a shoulder injury.

World number one Justine Henin will also be absent after deciding to rest in preparation for the French Open, which starts on May 27.

Reuters AKD VV1814