Simona Halep's brief stint at Hong Kong 125 ends as Emma Navarro makes last eight

Simona Halep's elation at playing her first tournament in some months and claiming a first win since June ended as she was well beaten earlier today at the Hong Kong 125.

Competing as a wild-card, she bested Arina Rodionova 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 yesterday fighting fatigue and a lack of match fitness. But facing off against Anna Blinkova was a different and more tougher examination as she found out.

Blinkova has had an up and down season but possesses quality that Halep hasn't yet reached in her return. Her best result this season is a Quarter-Final in San Diego where she lost to Jessica Pegula. In their first encounter, Blinkova dominated throughout winning through 6-2, 6-1.

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Halep though can take some solace from a first win in a long time and gaining two matches from her week as she targets a more sustained comeback to the tour in the coming months. A player perhaps blighted by the fact that she won't get the opportunities of others due to her prior ban, she has navigated a tough field with two matches.

Emma Navarro has got what she has wanted thus far with the top seed who is looking to accrue points towards the WTA Finals seeing off Kimberley Birrell 6-2, 6-4. She now faces Blinkova. Varvara Gracheva, McCartney Kessler and Ajla Tomljanovic as well as Clara Tauson are also among those still involved.

Simona Halep

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Comebacks are never easy. Thank you Hong Kong for the warm welcome! 🫶

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