The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Beijing

Former world number three Ivan Ljubicic pulled out of the Beijing Olympics singles tournament today, joining fellow Croats Ivo Karlovic and Mario Ancic on the sidelines.

Ljubicic, who has slipped to 51 in the world rankings, withdrew with an unspecified injury and his place was taken by Devon Mullings of Bahamas, the world 1025, who now plays Argentina's Agustin Calleri in the first round.

Karlovic, the world number 18 who recently defeated Roger Federer in Cincinnati, pulled out on Friday after developing a high temperature.

His place was taken by Chinese youngster Yu Xin Yuan, who gets his tournament underway against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.

Ancic pulled out earlier this month, also due to illness, leaving rising youngster Marin Cilic as Croatia's only men's hope.

On the women's side, a knee injury forced former Olympic champion Lindsay Davenport to quit the singles on Friday, although she still plans to play doubles.