Monte Carlo - French hope Richard Gasquet will miss his second straight major event as he skips the Monte Carlo Open starting on Sunday with the right shoulder injury that earlier kept him out of Miami. The world number 23 has been bothered with the problem since beginning his 2009 ATP season in the zone with semi-final showings in Brisbane, Sydney and Dubai during a memorable January.

Gasquet had hoped to be fit but is unable to make the start in Monte Carlo, where Andy Roddick is listed as the only member of the Top 10 not competing. Gasquet was unable to play in Miami due to his shoulder worry and won only a single round last month at Indian Wells.

Gasquet, a last-four loser in 2005 to Rafael Nadal, is hoping to return to the courts in a week at Barcelona as he steps up his pace for the French Open.(dpa)