Tennis: Simona Halep to compete in Dubai

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep (3rd WTA) will play in the tennis tournament in Dubai, during February 15-20 which she won in 2015, according to the official website of the competition.
World No 3 Halep had initially ruled herself out of competing in Dubai, but the Romanian is among three high-profile players to receive wildcards from tournament organisers. Joining Halep and the rest of the field will be 2013 champion and world No 9 Petra Kvitova and 2015 finalist Karolina Pliskova, thenational.ae reports.
”I learnt how to play without pressure when I have to defend something, to defend points or the title,” Halep said. “And I learnt that if I’m relaxed and enjoying what I’m doing it helps me concentrate better and I can win tough matches.”
World No 1 Serena Williams will be aiming for her first Dubai title and could face world No 2 and Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber in a rematch of the Melbourne final.
Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, the world No 3, and compatriot Carla Suarez Navarro, ranked No 8, round off the six, while the likes of world No 11 Belinda Bencic, and former world No 1s Caroline Wozniacki, Ana Ivanovic, and Jelena Jankovic will ensure an open competition.
However, tennis fans will be deprived of 2012 champion Agnieszka Radwanska after organisers announced her last-minute withdrawal.
The WTA tournament in Dubai (UAE) has total prizes worth over USD 1.7 million, and the playing surface is hard (hardcourt). Simona Halep won the tournament in 2015 after a victory in the final against Karolina Pliskova 6-4, 7-6.