Miami Open: Halep Loses To Paula Badosa On Doping Ban Return

Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep lost on her return from a doping ban against Paula Badosa in Miami.

Halep raced through the first set but struggled to maintain those levels, losing 1-6 6-4 6-3.

Simona Halep, the 32-year-old Romanian, returned to competition for the first time after serving a four-year ban for violating the Tennis Anti-Doping Program.

The Simona Halep(Cas) had reduced the ban to nine months earlier in March.

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A positive test for roxadustat at the 2022 US Open led to Halep’s provisional suspension in September 2022.

Roxadustat is an anti-anaemia drug which stimulates the production of red blood cells in the body.

Halep has always maintained her innocence and said the accusations were “scandalous”.

Cas found, based on the likelihood of being true, that she did not take roxadustat intentionally, partially upholding her case.

With the French Open running between 26 May and 9 June, Halep is looking to build up time on the court.

She won the French Open in 2018 and lifted the Wimbledon title in 2019.