"Words cannot describe the feeling" - Simona Halep shares a heartfelt note as she wins her 1st match after doping suspension lift at Hong Kong Open

Simona Halep shared a heartfelt note after her first taste of victory following a doping suspension. Halep is competing as a wildcard entry at the 2024 Hong Kong 125 Open, which started on Monday, September 30, and will go on till October 6.

The Romanian clashed with Arina Rodinova in the opening round. After a set each, Halep kicked her game up a notch to oust the Aussie 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. Halep will next clash with 7th seed Anna Blinkova in the Round of 16.

An emotional Halep took to X to express her gratitude to fans for their support during her ordeal before a successful hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) and return to the WTA tour. She posted a picture of her on-court blowing a kiss to the crowd and captioned it:

"Words cannot describe the feeling of being out there on court competing - and winning my first match after such a long period - in the sport I love. Thank you for all your support and your love, it means the world to me."

Other players in contention for the title at the WTA 125 event include top seed Emma Navarro, Varvara Gracheva, and Ajla Tomljanovic.

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Simona Halep to clash with Anna Blinkova in R16 at Hong Kong Open 2024

Simona Halep at the 2024 Hong Kong 125 Open. Image: Getty

2-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep will face Anna Blinkova in the Round of 16 at the 2024 Hong Kong 125 Open.

Halep had previously competed at the 2024 Miami Open, where she lost to Paula Badosa in the opening round. She later entered the Challenger event, Trophee Clarins, where she retired from her match against McCartney Kessler in the first round.

Simona Halep's win over Rodinova in the opening round of the Hong Kong Open is likely to be a boost in confidence for the former World No. 1. In a post-match interview, she expressed her excitement at her first on-court victory after a doping ban in 2022.

“It was a pleasure to play here. It’s the first victory in two years. I feel very tired. I came here because I received a wildcard, I really like it, it’s my first time in the city,” she said as per tennismajors.com

Blinkova has had a lukewarm season with early exits. Her best result was a quarterfinal run at the San Diego Open, where she lost to Jessica Pegula, and at the Bad Homburg Open, where she lost to Viktoriya Tomova.

This will be the first on-court encounter between the two players.