US Open in crisis as Halep becomes the latest top 10 player to withdraw

Only four of the world's top ten women tennis players are set to line up at the US Open after Simona Halep became the latest big name to withdraw. 

The Wimbledon champion joins world No.1 Ashleigh Barty and defending champion Bianca Andreescu in deciding not to take the risk of playing the event, despite it being held behind closed doors and in a bio-secure bubble. 

"After weighing up all the factors involved and with the exceptional circumstances in which we are living, I have decided that I will not travel," Halep said. "I always said I would put my health at the heart of my decision."

Halep won the Prague Open and has decided to remain in Europe to concentrate on preparing for the French Open which is set to start on 27 September.