Richard Gasquet out of Australian Open

Omnisports 00:43 - 29 December 2015

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A back injury has forced world number nine Richard Gasquet to become the third player to drop out of the Australian Open.

Richard Gasquet has become the latest player to withdraw from next month's Australian Open after suffering a back injury.

The Frenchman was hoping to continue his good form in the grand slams in Melbourne after a last-four appearance at Wimbledon and having reaching the quarter-finals at the US Open.

However, the world number nine picked up a back problem during the International Premier Tennis League and had already pulled out of the Qatar Open due to start on January 4.

"Sorry to report that @richardgasquet1 has withdrawn from the #AusOpen with a back injury," the Australian Open twitter account announced.

"We wish him a speedy recovery."

Gasquet's withdrawal follows those of Juan Monaco and Thanasi Kokkinakis, and hands Great Britain's Davis Cup-winning youngster Kyle Edmund a place in the main draw.