Dubai blow for Safina

World number two still troubled by back injury

Last updated: 8th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Dubai blow for Safina

Safina: Niggling injury

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Dinara Safina continues to be troubled by a back problem and has pulled out of next week's Dubai Tennis Championship.

The Russian has been carrying the injury for some time and relinquished her world number one ranking last year after withdrawing from the season-ending WTA Tour Championship in October.

And although she made it to Melbourne for the Australian Open last month, the 23-year-old had to quit her fourth round match in the first set after aggravating the injury.

"Unfortunately, I will not be able to play this year because of the back injury that's been bothering me since the end of last season," Safina said on her official website.

She added that she has targeted the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells next month as her proposed comeback event.