ZCZC
BSP-10
TENNIS-WTA-QAT-ROM-HALEP
Halep pulls out of Qatar Open
PARIS, Feb 23, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – World number three Simona Halep has pulled
out of next week’s Qatar Open, organisers of the WTA event announced on
Tuesday.
The Romanian’s withdrawal follows her Australian Open quarter-final loss to
Serena Williams.
“Unfortunately I’ve decided to withdraw, I can’t wait to be back in Doha
next year,” organisers quoted her as saying on Instagram.
She gave no reason for her absence from the March 1-6 tournament.
With Halep missing the top seeds in Qatar are world number one Ashleigh
Barty, and Sofia Kenin, fourth in the world and winner of the Australian Open
in 2020.
At Melbourne Halep, 29, was thwarted by Williams in her bid for a maiden
triumph at the year’s opening Grand Slam after falling short to Caroline
Wozniacki in the 2018 decider, and losing in straight sets to Garbine
Muguruza in last year’s semi-finals.
The 2018 French Open champion and 2019 Wimbledon winner’s seven-year streak
in the top 10 is the longest active run among women.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1735 hrs