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Del Potro quits Kooyong

Melbourne - US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro on Thursday pulled out of his final tune-up match prior to the Australian Open, citing a wrist injury.

His withdrawal from the Koyoong Classic was mirrored by French Open finalist Robin Soderling, who quit a semi-final trailing 6-4 against Ivan Ljubicic to avoid doing himself more elbow damage ahead of the season's opening Grand Slam.

The Del Potro decision puts Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga into Saturday's final against Spain's Fernando Verdasco.

Verdasco booked a bereth over 2008 Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, whom he beat 6-1, 6-2.

"The results didn't even matter," said world number three Djokovic. "The main point is to get a good practise and get points and gains before the Australian Open, which is my main priority.

"I didn't feel good on the court, he played well but I made way too many unforced errors."

Verdasco admitted he was surprised by his easy victory, adding that the traditional swirling wind at the Kooyong club was a problem for both players.

"We all know that here every day is pretty windy. It is not easy for everybody. But I was feeling pretty good," he said.

"I was trying to control the conditions and just give my 100% and be the best as possible for the Australian Open. That's the goal."

The dual dramas cast a pall over the event, considered the prime tune-up for the first major of the season.

"It's still hurting me a little bit, it was better yesterday," said Soderling. "Today, I felt it a little bit more, so I figure I didn't want to take any risks.

"I've had this a few times before, the last time was at Paris (Bercy, in early November)."

Soderling will hope his wrist heals on its own but will also be spending time with a physio in an effort to come good for Monday.

"With some rest, some treatment, I really hope I'll feel good next week," he said.

"Sometimes when I play a lot it comes back a little bit," he added of the tendinitis which has troubled him for the last six months off and on.

"But then if I rest it again it normally gets better.

"That's what I'm hoping for."

In a relegation match, Chile's Fernando Gonzalez handed German Tommy Haas his second defeat in as many days, 6-2, 6-4.

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