Czech Berdych pulls out of U.S. Open due to illness

(Reuters) - World number eight Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic has pulled out of the U.S. Open after suffering an appendicitis, he said on Saturday. "I am very disappointed to announce I will not be able to compete at the U.S. Open this year," the 30-year-old wrote on Twitter. "I was just diagnosed with Appendicitis in Cincinnati so I will be flying back to Europe for additional checks and treatment," he added. "I will need to take some time off to recover fully but I know I will get back as strong as ever." Berdych, who lost in this year's Wimbledon semi-finals to eventual champion Andy Murray, pulled out of the Rio Olympic Games due to fears over the Zika virus. The U.S. Open starts on Aug. 29. (Reporting by Ed Osmond; Editing by Ken Ferris)