Anastasia Myskina [ Images ] has pulled out of Russia's [ Images ] Fed Cup tie against Italy [ Images ] in Brindisi on April 23-24 with a shoulder injury.

Myskina's coach Jens Gerlach said the French Open [ Images ] 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 [ Images ] at the Family Circle Cup.

"We decided it was better not to take any more risks because we have Roland Garros [ Images ] coming up," Gerlach said over telephone.

Gerlach said Myskina - who led Russia to its first Fed Cup title last year -- will try to practise next week and then play 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 [ Images ] is a possibility.

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

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