MELBOURNE, Australia -- Third-seeded Marat Safin withdrew from the Australian Open on Saturday with an injured left wrist, giving Rainer Schuettler a walkover into the fourth round.

	Marat Safin expects to be sidelined for two to three weeks.

The 2000 U.S. Open champion said the problem was diagnosed as a "small cut in the ligament."

He expects to be sidelined for two to three weeks. He said the rest would be good for him after a heavy schedule last year.

"In my first match I fell down and ... felt some pain and in the second match I had an injection which is why I didn't feel anything," he said. The wrist was swollen "really big that night and I just couldn't move it ... so no reason to play."

"It's very bad luck because I started to play better. To fly 24 hours to get here without any success is not really good. But that's life."

Safin beat Dutchman Raemon Sluiter and Spaniard Albert Montanes, each in four sets, in the first two rounds. He was due to play Schuettler later Saturday, but called a news conference earlier to announce his withdrawal.

The doctor's diagnosis confirmed what he already knew.

"I can feel myself, I couldn't hold the racket," said Safin, who had his left wrist heavily strapped.

He'd been seeded to meet No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt in the semifinals.