BERLIN (AFP) - The sudden withdrawal of third-seed and defending champion Philipp Kohlschreiber with a virus left organisers stunned at the rain-lashed Munich Open on Tuesday.

After the weekend withdrawals of Thomas Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet, Kohlschreiber had been due to play compatriot Matthias Bachinger.

But the 24-year-old withdrew just as play was due to get underway as heavy rain had pushed play back into the late afternoon.

"I came here from Monte Carlo already with a slight cold, but it has taken a hold," said Kohlschreiber, who left organisers red-faced as he features on the advertising posters for the week-long event beside Tommy Haas.

But tournament director and Germany's Davis Cup captain Patrik Kuehnen was only informed last year's champion was out with flu on Tuesday afternoon.

"I didn't tell you sooner, as I only found out myself a short while ago," Kuehnen told a press conference in Munich.

"I was quite startled by the withdrawal, but Philipp has withdrawn with a virus.

"With three or four top seeds not turning up here, it is a bit deflating, especially with the defending champion being one of them now.

"That is disappointing for the tournament."

When play finally began on Tuesday afteroon, Kohlschreiber's 11th hour replacement Julio Silva from Brazil beat Matthias Bachinger 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

While second seed Fernando Gonzalez from Chile beat Israeli Dudi Sela 6-3, 6-4, France's Gael Monfils knocked out Russia's Igor Andreev 6-3, 6-4.