Halep withdraws from US Open

CLEVELAND — Simona Halep was dropped from the US Open because of a provisional doping suspension.

The US Tennis Association announced that Halep, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1-ranked player, “was automatically withdrawn” when the tournament´s qualifying draw was held.

Halep´s spot in the main draw for the women´s singles tournament in Flushing Meadows went to Taylor Townsend. Play begins on Aug. 28.

Venus Williams, also, withdrew from Tennis in the Land because of a knee injury, but the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion plans on playing in next week´s US Open.

Williams released a video through the promoter of the WTA 250 event in downtown Cleveland, saying: “Unfortunately, my knee is just not acting right. It´s not supporting me being on the court.”

The 43-year-old Williams has received a wild card to compete at the US Open, which begins on Aug. 28. She won back-to-back titles at Flushing Meadows in 2000-2001 after reaching the final in her debut in 1997.

“It´s such a bummer, but I´m going to work on myself and get myself together to be at the US Open,” she said according to AP.

Williams had been scheduled to play her opening match in Cleveland on Monday, five days after she was defeated by Zheng Qinwen of China at the Western and Southern Open in Mason, Ohio.

Earlier at the tournament outside Cincinnati, she earned her first win over a top-20 opponent in four years, beating No. 16 Veronika Kudermetova of Russia. Williams has a 3-6 record this season and is ranked No. 407 in the world after missing nearly six months with an injury.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic said his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz was becoming like the one he shared with the Spaniard’s compatriot, Rafa Nadal, after needing nearly four hours to outlast the 20-year-old world number one in an epic Cincinnati Open final.

In a thrilling rematch of their Wimbledon showdown, Djokovic saved a match point before avenging his defeat with a 5-7 7-6(7) 7-6(4) triumph in three hours and 49 minutes — the longest best-of-three sets final in ATP tour history.

The seasoned Serbian compared it with the 2012 Australian Open final, when he defeated Nadal in five hours and 53 minutes. The pair shared a storied rivalry over the last 15 years and faced each other 59 times.

“I don’t think I’ve played too many matches like this in my life,” Djokovic, 36, said according to Reuters. “Maybe I can compare it to the final against Nadal at the 2012 Australian Open.

“Obviously, three sets, but almost four hours. You just have to put your hats down to a guy like that. He plays so maturely, handles the pressure so well for a 20-year-old.

“We cannot forget how young he is. That’s something that is so impressive about him.”

Yesterday’s meeting was the fourth one between Djokovic and Alcaraz, with each player having won two matches. Djokovic beat Alcaraz in the French Open semi-finals, and the Spaniard earned his revenge in a memorable five-set Wimbledon final.

“The feeling that I have on the court reminds me a little bit when I was facing Nadal when we were at our prime,” added Djokovic, who moved ahead of the Spaniard in the all-time men’s majors list after winning his 23rd crown at Roland Garros.

“Each point is a hustle. Each point is a battle. You’ve got to basically earn every single point, every single shot, regardless of the conditions. It’s amazing to be able to experience that with him on the court.”

Up next for both players is the US Open, where Alcaraz will defend his title when the tournament starts on August 28.

“It’s great to hear those things from Novak, (who) has played iconic matches, storied matches,” Alcaraz said. “That means the team and myself, we are doing great work, we are on a good path.”