Muguruza gets a walkover into final as Halep withdraws moments after earning semis berth

Doha, February 17, 2018-Moments after halting the amazing run of American teenage sensation Catherine (CiCi) Bellis with a straight sets 6-0, 6-4 win in their quarter-final clash on Friday, world No. 2 Simona Halep surprisingly announced her withdrawal from the tournament.

Halep was schedule to face No.4 seed Garbine Muguruza, who came back to defeat France's Carolina Garcia in three sets 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the other last-eight clash.

Halep had been battling a foot injury right from the Australian Open where she lost to Caroline Wozniacki in the final.

“Today the injury was worse and that's why I took this decision. It's not easy, but I talked my doctor and he said I didn't have enough time to recover. I stayed only a few days, and I need more. The MRI shows that I have fluid and also tendonitis at the fourth toe. So I have just to take care of it and I'm thinking about my health first," the second seed player said.

Meanwhile, Muguruza produced an impressive comeback to beat Caroline Garcia in three sets and reach the semi-finals on Friday.

The two-time Grand Slam champion hadn't won back-to-back matches in any of her first three tournaments of the season in Australia, but that's changed this week in Qatar with her straight-sets wins over Duan Ying-Ying and Sorana Cirstea.

On the other hand, World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki defended her No.1 ranking with great grit on Friday, dispatching former World No.1 Angelique Kerber, 7-6(4), 1-6, 6-3, to secure a semi-final clash against 16-seed Petra Kvitova.

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