Illness forces Serena Williams out of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Simona Halep is seeded No1 for the 2016 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships following the late withdrawal of Serena Williams due to illness. Defending champion Halep has been handed a first round bye alongside Garbine Muguruza, Carla Suarez Navarro and 2013 winner Petra Kvitova. Ten of the world's top 20 are competing, with tie of the opening round pairing former world No1 Jelena Jankovic with the rising star of the women’s game, Belinda Bencic.

Jelena Jankovic

Last year's beaten finalist, Karolina Pliskova, meets Coco Vandeweghe in another exciting first round match-up. World No1 Williams was forced to withdraw from the tournament on Friday due to illness. Fellow fans favourites Caroline Wozniacki and Agnieska Radwanska had earlier pulled out due to injury.

More from Sports News

News

  • Dubai Police spearhead global fraud crackdown

    Dubai Police have led a major international operation targeting transnational financial crime, resulting in the arrest of 276 suspects and the dismantling of nine criminal centres linked to investment fraud and virtual currency scams.

  • UAE launches National Register of Modern Heritage

    The UAE has launched a National Register of Modern Heritage as part of wider efforts to preserve cultural landmarks and strengthen Emirati identity across future generations.

  • UAE leaders hold talks with Bahrain King

    UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain on Wednesday, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.