Pierce misses French Open

Former French Open winner Mary Pierce has been forced to pull out of this year's tournament, which starts in Paris on Sunday, because of injury.

Pierce, 31, who won at Roland Garros in 2000 and was a losing finalist in 1994 and 2005, has been struggling with foot and groin problems.

Pierce considered retirement before the 2005 Open, but reached the final where she played Justine Henin-Hardenne.

But in front of her home fans the Frenchwoman was beaten 6-1, 6-1.

Russia's Anastasia Myskina and German second seed Anna-Lena Groenefeld reached the semi-finals of the Istanbul Cup with contrasting victories.