Mon Jan 7 07:47:56 2008

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Federer pulls out of exhibition

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Melbourne, Australia (Sports Network) - Roger Federer pulled out of the Kooyong Classic Monday with a severe stomach virus.

"After arriving in Australia last Friday, I came down with a terrible stomach virus on Saturday and it continued to get worse over the weekend," Federer said in a statement released on his website.

"After trying to practice on Saturday afternoon, I went to see the doctors and they immediately performed a series of tests. The doctors have advised me that I should take a couple of days off and recuperate so that I am able to be 100 percent for the start of the Australian Open. Therefore, as a precaution, I will need to withdraw from Kooyong."

Federer hopes to resume practice by the middle of the week.

The reigning world No. 1 will be gunning for his third straight Australian Open title when the tourney begins on January 14.