Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

With Serena Williams definitely absent from the upcoming WTA Finals in Singapore, Maria Sharapova doubtful with a painful left wrist and forearm that has prevented her from completing a match since Wimbledon three months ago and Lucie Safarova still recovering from a viral infection that saw the world no.6 hospitalized, Steve Simon, the newly appointed head of the WTA, needed some good news.

And it came from world no.2 Simona Halep who despite forced to retire in her opening match at the China Open in Beijing, stressed her determination to be fit in time year-ending climax to the women’s tour that begins in earnest in 19 days.

Halep has been playing on an injured Achilles tendon for a couple of weeks and announced the problem, rather than responding to treatment, is getting worse.

“It was my goal for this year,” said the 24 year-old Romanian who, as the rankings currently stand, will be top seed in Singapore. “I hope I can play, we will see.”

However after being forced to retire in Beijing against Spanish qualifier Lara  Arruabarrena when trailing 5-4 in the first set, Halep ominously added:  I need treatment and I need a break, for sure.

“I thought that it was getting better and I could play, but no – I don’t want to force it. And it’s a tough injury because it’s always dangerous to continue with the tendon, so, I hope to just recover and be healthy again soon.

“My first thought is to be healthy and of course every tournament is important, but the most important thing is to be okay, to feel no pain, and then I will see.

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.