Halep, Wozniacki cruise into Qatar Open

DOHA, Feb 15 (AFP): World number two Simona Halep won on her return to competitive action since losing the Australian Open final, beating Ekaterina Makarova in straight sets in the Qatar Open Wednesday.

Halep eased through 6-3, 6-0 against the Russian, in a second round match -- she received a first round bye -- but admitted afterwards she was still anxious about an ankle injury which has stopped her from playing since Melbourne. Also winning convincingly was the woman who defeated Halep in Melbourne, Caroline Wozniacki who blitzed Germany's Carina Witthoeft, 6-2, 6-0 in just 57 minutes. But it was Halep's ankle which was receiving most attention afterwards.

The Romanian said she would assess that injury match-by-match and admitted she would take the "best decision" for her health if the ankle worsened.