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No Serena or Kerber as Halep Eyes Title Defense in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Simona Halep wasn't sure she would be healthy enough to defend her title at the hardcourt Dubai Tennis Championships, which start Monday, so didn't enter the event at first.

Feeling better, the Romanian postponed nose surgery to repair a deviated septum and got a wildcard.

"I know it's going to be tough to defend my title, but I'm trying to be healthy," Halep said Sunday.

Halep was upset in the Australian Open first round and went 1-1 last week in the Fed Cup quarterfinals against the Czech Republic, losing to Karolina Pliskova but defeating Petra Kvitova.