World number five Nikolay Davydenko of Russia has withdrawn from this month's Australian Open and the ongoing Chennai Open due to a persistent heel injury.

Davydenko, the top seed at the Chennai Open, said he would consult doctors before deciding when he can return to the circuit.

"I am pulling out both the Chennai Open and the Australian Open because my left heel has been very painful over the last few days," Davydenko told reporters Wednesday in Chennai.

"I will see specialists before I can say when I will return to the circuit."

The Australian Open is due to start in Melbourne on January 19.

(Xinhua News Agency January 8, 2009)