Simona started the match full of energy and ready to play. But as things progressed you could see her struggling and not in match shape yet. She was able to win the 1st set. But in the 2nd you could see her grabbing her knee. Simona Halep retired against McCartney Kessler.
Simona Halep's return cut short by persistent knee problems at Trophee´ Clarins
WTAWednesday, 15 May 2024 at 17:51
Simona Halep was given a wildcard to play this week at Trophee´ Clarins as it was perceived that the former World No.1 was ready for a return to action. But it seems that isn't the case as more question marks surround the recent returnee to the sport.
Halep who will not play Roland Garros after not receiving a wildcard has for some time had injury problems since returning in Miami with her shoulder and knee giving her grief at certain junctures. It seems to be the latter today by all reports as she won the opening set against McCartney Kessler but retired in the second.
Winning the first 7-5 against the American who sits just outside the top 100, she went 3-2 down in the second and looked to be grimacing and in some pain clutching her knee. As the match wore on, she did not look in match shape and decided to call it a day.
Kessler moves on to face Emma Navarro in the second round who is top seed this week and is a top 25 player playing at lower level so should be favourite to seal the title. Navarro though herself has battled some injury woes as of late so whether she is ready remains to be seen.
Halep joins fellow injury returnees Paula Badosa and also Bianca Andreescu in returning next week in Rabat. But after this latest blow, it is unsure whether she will head for Morocco after all. Spending most of her doping ban lamenting the lack of game time, it seems her bad luck from that saga has moved on to her return. She has only played two matches and only one completed since March.
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