Safin withdraws from Kooyong Classic

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Former world number one Marat Safin has withdrawn from the invitational Kooyong Classic with a shoulder injury, organizers said Monday.

Safin was replaced in the eight-man field for the Melbourne contest by Croatia''s Ivan Ljubicic.

World number two Roger Federer, who missed last year''s event due to what later transpired to be glandular fever, headlines the field, which also includes his Swiss compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka.

The duo combined to win gold in the doubles at last year''s Beijing Olympics.

Spain''s Fernando Verdasco, Marcos Baghdatis -- the 2006 Australian Open finalist -- Croatia''s Marin Cilic, Chile''s Fernando Gonzalez and Spain''s Carlos Moya make up the rest of the field.

Play in the tournament, which guarantees each of the entrants three matches, begins Wednesday.

(Writing by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Martin Petty)