Del Potro pulls out of French Open

May 22, 2013 - 2:27 PM Paris, France (Sports Network) - Former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro has pulled out of the 2013 French Open after failing to recover from a virus.

The world No. 7 from Argentina reached the quarterfinals in Paris last year.

"I am sad to miss such an important tournament, one that you always dream of winning," said del Potro.

The 6-foot-6 slugger is the second top-10 star to withdraw from Roland Garros, which will start on Sunday, joining reigning U.S. Open champ Andy Murray, who pulled out Tuesday due to a back injury.

Del Potro titled in Rotterdam earlier this season and was a runner-up at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells, Calif.