Top-ranked Halep out of WTA Finals

SINGAPORE: World No 1 Simona Halep withdrew from the WTA Finals in Singapore with a back injury on Thursday, bringing her season to a premature end. The French Open champion pulled out of last month’s China Open after just 31 minutes, and withdrew from this week’s Kremlin Cup because of the persistent problem.

Halep, 27, said she had hoped to compete at the season finale in Singapore, which starts on Sunday, but that she had taken the “tough” decision to put her health first. “It’s always difficult to withdraw from a big tournament,” said the Romanian, who sustained the injury in Wuhan last month.

“My back is not okay. I didn’t practise for the last four weeks. I’m not ready to compete at this level and I’m still sore.” Her withdrawal means that Kiki Bertens from the Netherlands moves into the eighth and final qualifying spot in the WTA Finals.

It has been a disappointing end to a spectacular season for Halep, which saw her secure the yearend number one ranking in the WTA standings for the second year running.

She spent 40 weeks at number one in 2018, and won three titles from a tour-leading six final appearances, amassing a 46-11 win-loss record.

WOZNIACKI CONFIDENT

Caroline Wozniacki will be looking to carry the momentum of a strong end to the season through to a second successive WTA Finals title triumph next week as the Dane looks to end her most successful season on a high.

The 28-year-old world No 2 built on her victory in Singapore a year ago by claiming a maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, with Wozniacki keen to stress the importance of making the most of being in good form. “I think it’s really important. Any bit will help,” Wozniacki, who won her second China Open title earlier this month, said in Singapore Thursday ahead of the eight-woman event that starts on Sunday.