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AAP
AAP
Sport
Justin Chadwick

Gael Monfils retires hurt in Adelaide

Gael Monfils has retired hurt in Adelaide just days before the start of the Australian Open. (AAP)

World No.19 Gael Monfils has suffered an injury scare ahead of the Australian Open after retiring hurt at the Adelaide International 2.

Monfils, the No.1 seed, was locked at one-set apiece against world No.83 Thiago Monteiro when he pulled the pin after losing the opening game of the third set.

The 35-year-old Frenchman looked bothered by a neck or shoulder complaint and now has just five days to recover before the start of the Australian Open.

Before Wednesday's withdrawal, Monfils had been building nicely towards the season-opening major after winning the Adelaide International 1 last week.

It was Monfils' first ATP title in almost two years and the 6-4 6-4 triumph over Russian Karen Khachanov in the final sparked hope Monfils could embark on a deep run at the Australian Open.

His best result at the Australian Open was a quarter-final appearance in 2016 and he will be keen to make amends for last year's first-round exit.

Monfils won the first set against Monteiro 7-6 (7-2) but he succumbed 6-3 in the second.

He decided to call it quits after dropping the first game of the deciding set.

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