DOHA: Simona Halep’s injury-plagued start to the season continued on Friday as a lingering foot injury forced her out of the Qatar Open, as Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the semis and ensured she kept her world number one ranking.
A clearly frustrated Halep said she needed further time away from the game to recuperate despite a straights sets victory in her quarter-final against American teenage qualifier, Catherine Bellis, 6-0 6-4.
On a dramatic night in Doha, Wozniacki won 7-6 (7/4), 1-6, 6-3 against Germany’s Angelique Kerber to progress to the last four, a result which also means she becomes just the fourth woman in history to pass $30 million in tennis prize money.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Julia Georges was forced to retire through injury when she was 6-4, 2-1 down to Petra Kvitova.
And Garbine Muguruza was handed a walkover to the final — and will get a day’s rest — because of the withdrawal of Halep, after beating France’s Caroline Garcia 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.
But it was the blow to the world number two which was the main talking point of the night.
The injury to her right foot had forced her out of the game since the Australian Open.
Wozniacki, continued her sensational start to the season beating two-time Grand Slam winner Kerber in three sets. Wozniacki hit 46 winners in the process.
Asked about keeping her place at the top of the world rankings, she replied: “It feels good, but honestly I’m just happy to have won today.”
Muguruza beat France’s Caroline Garcia 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 to book her place in Sunday’s final.
The Spaniard said it was the best she had played so far this season.
“I’m happy overall with the match because even though in the first set she played very well, you know, this kind of game and match changes a lot,” said Muguruza.