Halep loses in Miami on return from doping ban

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.

The 32-year-old Romanian was playing for the first time since being handed a four-year ban for breaching the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) had reduced the ban to nine months earlier in March.

She had been provisionally suspended in September 2022 after testing positive for the use of roxadustat at the 2022 US Open.

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".

While her case was partially upheld, Cas ruled Halep "on the balance of probabilities" had not taken roxadustat intentionally.

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

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