“I and my team had to take one of the most difficult decisions to skip this year’s edition of the tournament in Sofia,” said Dimitrov in a statement. “I will not be at 100 percent ready.”

Roger Federer suffered one of his worst career hard court losses Wednesday in Dubai.

Andy Murray looked sharp in his first round at the US Open.

Rafael Nadal will have to play three matches Wednesday in three different events.

Rafael Nadal (currently injured) beat Fognini in last year’s final…Leo Mayer (2014) is the only former champ in the field.

Notes: Two-time defending champ Serena Williams obviously didn’t like the under-the-table appearance fee to appear in Stanford, passing on the event and last week playing the tiny Swedish Open in Bastad, which was willing to pony-up some major cash…Tough starts are (1) Radwanska after a bye possibly facing the former Slam champ Schiavone, (8) Rybarikova vs. the explosive Keys, and (2) Stosur after a bye likely facing the powerful Goerges….Wildcards went to American Nicole Gibbs and Croat Ajla Tomljanovic…Pulling from the event were Marion Bartoli (hamstring), Kirsten Flipkens, Sabine Lisicki (wrist), and Maria Sharapova (hip)…Since 1990, 20 of the 23 champions have been Slam winners, but this year there are no returning champions in the field.

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray both lost sets in their Indian Wells openers on Sunday.