Halep targets Stuttgart success on return to clay

Former world number one Simona Halep said she has recovered from a right shoulder injury that forced her out of the Miami Open last month and is determined to kick off her European claycourt season with a long-awaited win at the Stuttgart Open.

The Romanian pulled out of Miami, her first tournament since a quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open in February, after experiencing soreness following practice sessions.

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“I had more than two weeks’ break and some treatment on my shoulder. I feel much better,” the world number three told reporters at the WTA 500 event.