HAAS OUT OF MIAMI

Germany's Tommy Haas pulled out of the ATP Masters Series hardcourt tournament because of a sinus infection, organizers announced on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old, ranked 36th on the ATP Tour, retired from a quarter-final match against Swiss world number one Roger Federer last week at Indian Wells, California, for the same reason.

The German standout, who looked to be returning to the sort of form that saw him rise as high as number two in the world when he beat Andy Roddick in Indian Wells, was replaced for a night match on Wednesday in the main draw by Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, who will face Haas' compatriot Nicolas Kiefer in a first-round match.

Haas admitted earlier this month that he didn't think he would ever return to his peak because of undergoing a third shoulder operation and a series of poor results since then.