Injured Kuerten to miss US Open

Kuerten, a former world number one, is currently ranked 509

Three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten will miss the US Open as well as Brazil's Davis Cup match against Sweden because of injury.

The 29-year-old is suffering with a thigh problem and will be sidelined for at least four weeks.

However Kuerten, winner of the French Open in 1997, 2000 and 2001, is not setting a date for his return.

"It's better if I don't create any expectations," he said. "I need to be patient right now."

Kuerten has struggled with injuries over the past two years and has played only one singles match in 2006.

He had surgery in September 2004 to remove bone spurs from his hip and spent several weeks nursing a hip injury at a clinic in the United States earlier this year.

Kuerten, who was the world number one in 2000, is now ranked 509 and won the last of his 20 tour titles in February 2004.

The US Open begins on 28 August while Brazil host Sweden in a world group play-off on 22-24 September.