Simona Halep loses the match against Paula Badosa, 6-1, 4-6, 3-6, and is eliminated in the first round in Miami, in her first match after the doping scandal she was involved in. After exactly two hours, the player from Spain qualifies for the second round of the Miami Open, where she will meet Aryna Sabalenka.
Despite a perfect start, winning a set almost flawlessly, Simona Halep faltered towards the end when she fell physically. Our athlete had visible issues with her serve, and Paula Badosa took full advantage of some of Simona’s softer shots.
Simona Halep returned to the court after the doping suspension, at the Miami tournament, where she received a wildcard after the favorable decision made by TAS in her doping case.
TAS reduced Simona Halep's doping suspension from 4 years to 9 months following the appeal our athlete made to the Swiss court.
Previously, our athlete defeated Paula Badosa in 2022 in Madrid, 6-3, 6-1, and also at Wimbledon, 6-1, 6-2.
The last official match played by Simona Halep dates back to August 29, 2022, when she was defeated by Daria Snigur in the first round at the US Open.