By Sean Rudolph
© Melchior DiGiacomo

(October 20, 2010) The Moscow draw is now devoid of Russia's best players. World No. 9 Mikhail Youzhny pulled out of the Kremlin Cup due to a virus infection. Youzhny's departure comes on the same day defending champion Nikolay Davydenko was upset by World No. 71 Pablo Cuevas, 7-6(6), 7-6(5).

Davydenko and Youzhny were seeded first and second respectively. Youzhny made the decision to pull out of singles after dropping his opening doubles match with partner Sergiy Stakhovsky.

"I had made a decision to withdraw after losing my doubles match," Youzhny said. "I don't feel well at all and I don't think I would have been able to play the singles in such condition."

The US Open semifinalist was scheduled to play Denis Istomin for a place in Friday's quarterfinals.

Youzhny still has a shot to qualify for next month's season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London, but said he is unsure of his status for next week's St. Petersburg tournament. Youzhny won St. Petersburg six years ago and retired from his round of 16 match vs. Istomin last year.

"I will now have to take a break from training for a few days and see how I feel," said Youzhny. "I'm scheduled to play next week in St Petersburg but right now I'm not sure if I'll be able to be there. I'll have to make a decision by the end of the week."

Youzhny won his second title of the season in Kuala Lumpur last month. He has posted a 39-17 record, including a three-set win over Marin Cilic in the Munich final.