DUBAI: Simona Halep was forced to retire with a right Achilles injury at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday, handing a first round 6-1, 1-1 victory to Alize Cornet.

The world number nine, who came into Dubai immediately after claiming her seventh career title in Doha on Sunday, received treatment after Cornet had broken to lead 4-1.

There was initially little sign of the injury in some furiously-contested rallies, but as the match progressed Halep eventually lost some mobility and finally accepted that she was no longer able to compete effectively.

“I have an inflammation at my Achilles. So when I jump with my serve and when I stop at the rallies, I feel the pain,” said Halep. “I wanted to try, because I like to try to fight for my chance, but here I couldn’t. After one set I realized that it is dangerous to continue.” Former world number one and Dubai 2011 champion Caroline Wozniacki battled back from losing the opening set to overcome 2013 Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki, winning 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. Another former world number one and number five seed, Jelena Jankovic, had to fight hard to get past qualifier Maryna Zanevska, winning 6-4, 6-3.

“I worked really hard. It was not easy for my first match here,” said Jankovic. “I just came from Doha like one day ago, so it’s completely different. Playing there during the night it’s slower, and here it’s faster and the balls fly. It was quite windy out there, and I felt kind of like I couldn’t play my game totally, you know, play the lines.” “It is a great shame that we have lost Simona Halep from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of tournament owners and organizers Dubai Duty Free. “With her run to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open last month and her triumph in Doha just two days ago, she is one of the most exciting young players on the WTA Tour.

“However, we were able to enjoy wins by former world number one and our 2011 champion Caroline Wozniacki, who had a tremendous win over last year’s Wimbledon runner-up, Sabine Lisicki, and Jelena Jankovic, a regular here and a finalist as long ago as 2005.” “There are few, if any, tournaments where the competition is so tough that a Wimbledon finalist can be defeated in the first round of a tournament, but that was the fate of Sabine Lisicki,” said Tournament Director Salah Tahlak. “We have also already lost a 2013 semi-finalist in Roberta Vinci, reflecting the fact that competition at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is stronger than ever.”

Martin next Hall of Fame CEO

Former top-five player Todd Martin has been selected as the next CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum.

Martin achieved a career-best ranking of world No. 4. He was a finalist at the 1999 US Open and the 1994 Australian Open. He played on the US Davis Cup team from 1994 to 2002, and helped the US win the title in 1995. Martin won eight singles titles and four doubles titles.

“It is an honor to be charged with preserving the rich history of our sport and to celebrate the people who have created its greatest moments,” he said.

He will succeed Mark L. Stenning, who is stepping down in September after 35 years with the organization and 14 years as CEO.

Martin will begin working at the Hall of Fame as CEO-designate on April 1, with Stenning remaining as CEO through Sept. 5.