Wawrinka to replace Verdasco at Capitala

Abu Dhabi: Rising Swiss star Stanislas Wawrinka, who won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with Roger Federer, will replace Fernando Verdasco, the world No 8, who has announced his withdrawal from the Capitala World Tennis Championship.

Wawrinka, who for the first time beat his friend and countryman Federer earlier this year at the Monte Carlo masters, now has a golden opportunity to take on the world No 1 again, this time at the stunning Abu Dhabi International Tennis Complex.

Wawrinka joins a star-studded line-up of the world's best players including Federer, Rafael Nadal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Nikolay Davydenko and Robin Soderling for the Middle East's showpiece tennis event, which runs from December 31 to January 2.

Wawrinka said: "I'm really looking forward to playing in Abu Dhabi over the New Year and having another opportunity to play against the likes of Roger and the other top players.

"I've heard some great reports about the tournament from the players, who competed in the first event and with Roger and Rafa both returning it's a great indication of just how successful it was."

Verdasco said in a statement: "Throughout the year I have suffered from a foot injury for which I was to have surgery after the US Open. My doctors advised me to reconsider the surgery and to make a decision after the Davis Cup Finals.

"Regardless of whether or not I have the surgery, I will need to take a significant time of rest and thus I will not be able to participate in the Abu Dhabi tournament."