World No.3 Simona Halep has withdrawn from the Miami Open before her third round clash because of a right shoulder injury.
Halep, who beat France’s Caroline Garcia in the second round, was set to play Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova on Saturday for a spot in the last 16.
But the reigning Wimbledon champion said she began to feel pain after practice sessions at her first tournament since a quarter-final exit at the Australian Open last month.
“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,” said Halep, who had partnered with Angelique Kerber in the doubles.
“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.”
Halep’s withdrawal is a blow for the high-profile tournament, which has already had Serena Williams pull out to recover from oral surgery, while Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem have all skipped the event.
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