Anastasia Myskina has pulled out of Russia’s Federation Cup tie against Italy next week with a shoulder injury.

　　Myskina’s coach Jens Gerlach says the French Open champion decided after last week’s tournament in Charleston that she needed to give her sore shoulder a rest.

　　Myskina was upset in the second round by Czech 15-year-old Nicole Vaidisova at the Family Circle Cup.

　　Gerlach says Myskina - who led Russia to its first Fed Cup title last year -- will try to practise next week and then play in Berlin and Rome before heading to Paris to defend her crown.

　　The world number six has only reached one semi-final this year, in Antwerp.

　　The Russians have yet to announce a replacement for Myskina, although world number 12 Nadia Petrova is a possibility.

　　Captain Shamil Tarpischev has already named Elena Dementieva, Elena Bovina and Dinara Safina to the team.

　　The Italians are led by world number 20 Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta, who won two clay court titles in February.