French Open favourite Simona Halep 50-50 with ankle injury
The world number four and bookies' favourite for the title is a doubt to take to the courts at Roland Garros after scans confirmed a ligament tear.Halep - Stephens: French Open 2018 final
World number four Simona Halep has said she is "50-50" to be fit for the French Open after tearing a ligament in her right ankle in the final of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia last weekend.
Halep went into the final against Elina Svitolina in Rome as hot favourite following her victory in Madrid and reaching the last four in Stuttgart.
Halep facing race to be fit for Roland Garros
However, she turned her ankle late in the first set and struggled from there despite having treatment and being heavily strapped.
She was eventually beaten 4-6 7-5 6-1 and left the court with her Roland Garros title hopes shrouded in doubt with one of the most open fields in recent years on offer in Paris this year in the absence of Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka.
Halep - who was considered a top contender for the title in Paris - provided an update on her injury on Wednesday and the signs are not good for the Romanian.