After an extended absence from competition and a challenging battle to overturn a doping ban, Simona Halep returned to the court at the Miami Open. Despite a strong start, the former world No.1 was unable to maintain her momentum and fell to Paula Badosa in a hard-fought three-set match, 1-6 6-4 6-3.
Halep showed no signs of rust in the early stages, swiftly taking the first set 6-1 by breaking Badosa’s serve three times. However, Badosa responded strongly, maintaining a break lead she earned early in the second set and eventually converting her fourth set point to force a decider.