Vaidisova pulls out of rainswept German Open

BERLIN, May 7 (Reuters) Sixth seed Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic pulled out of the rain-hit German Open due to a hand injury, organisers said today.

Italian Tathiana Garbin will take Vaidisova's spot as the number six seed and 16-year-old Tamira Paszek of Austria enters the main field as a ''lucky loser''.

The 1.34 million dollar, clay-court tournament was badly affected by rain on the opening day of the main draw today.

Shahar Peer, the Israeli 13th seed, had few problems seeing off Germany's Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-1 6-2 in one of only four matches that were completed between heavy downpours.

China's 14th seed Li Na also came safely through against the Russian Maria Kirilenko 6-1 3-6 6-1.

Belgian world number one Justine Henin is the top seed. Six other top 10 players are in the draw, including defending champion Nadia Petrova of Russia.

REUTERS SAM RAI0000