CHENNAI, India — Nikolay Davydenko will miss the Australian Open because of an injury in his left heel.

The fifth-ranked Russian also pulled out of the Chennai Open, where he was to face Lucas Dlouhy of Czech Republic on Wednesday in the second round.

"I'm having acute pain in my left heel that flared up last week," Davydenko said. "I've had painkillers even today, and the doctors here in Chennai have tried some therapy for a few days, but I now need to fix this before playing any more tournaments. It's obviously serious since I'll even miss the Australian Open."

The 27-year-old Davydenko said the injury also bothered him last season.

"I need to check my heel and that's why I'm going home, to see what's happening and what's wrong," Davydenko said. "The problem started last year, but I thought I could still continue playing. It was (painful) even when I played the Shanghai Masters in November."