Sydney, Jan 11 (DPA) A lingering shoulder injury forced top seed Gael Monfils to withdraw Monday prior to his start at the Medibank International.

The Frenchman had dropped hints last week in Brisbane that he would be in a race against time if he was to be ready for Sydney. With the Australian Open starting in a week, the number 13 now faces a fresh deadline.

"It was getting worse and worse. I had a little hope to be a bit better, but ...," said the disappointed Monfils. "If I keep playing on it, it's gonna turn into something chronic."

Monfils is to be replaced in the field by a lucky loser from qualifying, leaving Czech Tomas Berdych, a Brisbane semi-finalist at the weekend, as top seed at the Olympic Park.

"I had this injury two years ago and I've had it now about ten days. I think it's due to over-work."

Monfils said he would wait until midweek to test the shoulder with an eye on the Australian Open start. "I'm trying to stay positive on my participation for the Australian Open."