Just as fans were beginning to ask "Where's the real Michael Russell?", they got their answer: he was sidelined by illness, writes Gayle Alleyne.

For about an hour yesterday afternoon, the crowd on Centre Court watched bewildered by the shadow of a player on the opposite side of the net to Korea's Hyung-Taik Lee.

The person looked like Russell; talked like Russell but definitely was not playing like the lively, spirited American who has become a favourite at the XL Capital Bermuda Open.

In an uncanny, lacklustre display, he had gone down 6-2 to the solid Lee in the first set and was now trailing 3-0 in the second, surrendering a stream of points in situations he normally never does.

It was painful for his many fans. One could hear the "oohs", "aahs" and "oh no's" with every weak shot into the net or every half-hearted attempt to reach a drop shot he would usually scamper after and flick back to his opponent's side. There were even audible questions about what was happening.

Then, finally, with a team of ATP officials in conference with Russell slumped in his court-side chair, the umpire cleared up the mystery of "Missing Mike".

"Mr. Russell is retiring due to illness," he said into the microphone.

Moments later, an obviously dejected Russell exited the court waving goodbye and received a hearty round of applause as did Lee - the winner by default - who had played impressively once again, regardless of his clear advantage.

"I woke up this morning and I just didn't feel good. I've been downing fluids, trying to play through it but I wasn't making a match out of it. So he (Lee) can go on and hopefully I'll feel better for Houston (another ATP Challenger) next week.

"It's a very big disappointment. I feel like I am playing really well and I always like it here," said 23-year-old Russell, in his fourth appearance in Bermuda.

Noting he has a 1-1 record against Lee, whom he beat in a rugged three-setter last year at the Open, he said he knew it would be "tough" but he still felt he had to try. However, he could not do it.

"You can't beat anybody out here being 50 percent," he said, promising that once he is not playing in Monte Carlo next year, he will definitely be back in Bermuda.

Lee, 26, who has played beautifully throughout the tournament, said he knew something "wasn't right with Russell", especially when he was able to break the American's serve three times in the first set.

"But I didn't know he was going to default because he is a fighter," said the Korean champion, speaking as his coach translated.