Vaidisova and Ivanovic pull out of Italian Open

ROME, May 15 (Reuters) Fourth seed Nicole Vaidisova and 12th seed Ana Ivanovic became the latest top players to pull out of the Italian Open in Rome after succumbing to injuries, tournament organisers said today.

Czech Vaidisova withdrew with a recurrence of the tendonitis that kept her out of last week's German Open in Berlin.

Serb Ivanovic, who moved up to eighth in the world rankings -- her first time in the top 10 -- after beating world number three Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final in Berlin, pulled out with an ankle injury.

Another leading player, 13th seed Li Na of China, also dropped out with a stomach upset.

The field at the claycourt tournament had already been weakened by the absence of several leading players.

World number two Maria Sharapova and reigning Rome champion Martina Hingis pulled out with injuries last week, while world number one Justine Henin has chosen to sit out the tournament as she prepares for the French Open, which starts on May 27.

REUTERS TB RK2318