In-form Malisse pulls out

The 26-year-old, seeded 29th for the opening Masters Series event of the season after triumphing in Chennai, India and Delray Beach, Florida last month, will be replaced in the 96-strong draw by a lucky loser.

Malisse's slot as a ranked player will be filled by compatriot Olivier Rochus, who was initially scheduled to face Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in Friday's opening round.

Rochus gets a bye into the second stage where he will meet either American Vincent Spadea or Stefan Koubek of Austria.

Lopez will take on the lucky loser in round one.