Simona Halep has been forced to withdraw from the Miami Open after failing to recover sufficiently from a shoulder injury.
Having received a bye in the first round due to her seeding, the Romanian overcame Caroline Garcia in her opening fixture in three sets.
But she had been nursing a problem with her right shoulder ahead of the tournament, which has been giving her trouble since she began practising in Florida.
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“I’m very sorry I have to pull out of singles and doubles at the Miami Open, but my injury doesn’t let me play here as I expected,” Halep’s statement read.
“I’m sad that I can’t continue, I wanted to come here to give my best and play many matches but unfortunately I can’t. Hopefully next year I will be back healthy and better.”
Halep’s round of 32 opponent Anastasija Sevastova will now progress to the last 16 with a bye, while her run in the doubles alongside Angelique Kerber will now come to an end.
Highlights: Dominant Serena races past Halep into semi-finals
The Miami Open was Halep’s first tournament since the Australian Open and her focus will now be on the WTA’s clay court swing.
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