Tennis-Norway's Ruud pulls out of Australian Open with ankle injury

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - ATP Cup - Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia - January 3, 2022 Norway's Casper Ruud during his group stage match against Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

(Reuters) - World number eight Casper Ruud withdrew from the Australian Open on Tuesday, just hours before his first match at the year's opening Grand Slam, after sustaining an ankle injury in practice.

'Lucky loser' Roman Safiullin replaced the Norwegian in the draw and will take on Slovak Alex Molcan later on Tuesday.