Elena Baltacha withdraws from Strasbourg event

Baltacha will play in Strasbourg ahead of the French Open

Elena Baltacha has withdrawn from the Strasbourg International because of a back injury.

The British number one was due to face top seed Marion Bartoli in the second round but opted against playing as a precaution ahead of the French Open.

"Unfortunately I felt a twinge in my back before the match and I withdrew as a precaution," she said.

But Baltacha said she should be fully fit to take her place at Roland Garros on 22 May.

"At a tournament of this importance and against such a strong opponent you need to be fully fit," she added.

"I'm very disappointed because I was really looking forward to playing Marion.

"The WTA medical team here have been great and they expect it to settle down quickly with a couple of days' rest, which is good news ahead of the French Open."

The 27-year-old advanced into the second round in Strasbourg when Magdalena Rybarikova retired because of injury.