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Halep hindered by panic attack in defeat

Former French Open champion Simona Halep says she suffered a panic attack in the middle of her second-round match and went on to lose against China’s Zheng Qinwen at Roland Garros in Paris yesterday.

Halep, a former world No 1 who won the French Open in 2018 and Wimbledon in 2019, appeared to have breathing difficulties after winning the first set 6-2.

The 30-year-old Romanian called the doctor to the court after the second game of the third set, and while she finished the match, she lost the final two sets 6-2 and 6-1 and faded after looking comfortable in the opening set.

‘‘I probably put pressure on myself too much, because I really wanted to do well,’’ she said. ‘‘I felt good. I practise. I work hard. But it just didn’t happen, and probably I got a little bit of panic during [the match] thinking, overthinking.’’

Halep said she felt fine afterwards, despite the scare on court.

‘‘[It was] nothing dangerous, in my opinion, but it happened. So it’s good that now I can smile.’’

Top seed and heavy favourite Iga Swiatek routed Alison Riske 6-0 6-2 to reach the third round.

In the men’s singles, top seed Daniil Medvedev and fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas were among those to advance to the last 32.

Sport

en-nz

2022-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282720525587445

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