MELBOURNE (AFP) US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro Thursday pulled out of his final tune-up match prior to the Australian Open, citing a wrist injury. His withdrawal from the Koyoong Classic was mirrored by French Open finalist Robin Soderling, who quit a semi-final trailing 6-4 against Ivan Ljubicic to avoid doing himself more elbow damage ahead of the seasons opening Grand Slam. The Del Potro decision puts Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga into Saturdays final against Spains Fernando Verdasco. Verdasco booked a bereth over 2008 Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, whom he beat 6-1, 6-2. The results didnt even matter, said world number three Djokovic. The main point is to get a good practise and get points and gains before the Australian Open, which is my main priority. I didnt feel good on the court, he played well but I made way too many unforced errors. Verdasco admitted he was surprised by his easy victory, adding that the traditional swirling wind at the Kooyong club was a problem for both players. We all know that here every day is pretty windy. It is not easy for everybody. But I was feeling pretty good, he said. I was trying to control the conditions and just give my 100 percent and be the best as possible for the Australian Open. Thats the goal. The dual dramas cast a pall over the event, considered the prime tune-up for the first major of the season. Its still hurting me a little bit, it was better yesterday, said Soderling. Today, I felt it a little bit more, so I figure I didnt want to take any risks. Ive had this a few times before, the last time was at Paris (Bercy, in early November). Soderling will hope his wrist heals on its own but will also be spending time with a physio in an effort to come good for Monday. With some rest, some treatment, I really hope Ill feel good next week, he said. Sometimes when I play a lot it comes back a little bit, he added of the tendinitis which has troubled him for the last six months off and on. But then if I rest it again it normally gets better. Thats what Im hoping for. In a relegation match, Chiles Fernando Gonzalez handed German Tommy Haas his second defeat in as many days, 6-2, 6-4.