Injury forces Ashleigh Barty out of Dubai championship

World number one Ashleigh Barty will not compete at the Dubai Championships next week because of a leg injury.

In a statement, Barty said; “Unfortunately I have withdrawn from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with a left leg injury.

“I look forward to competing again in Miami in a few weeks’ time.”

Barty, who also dropped out of the Qatar Open currently underway in Doha, is the reigning champion at Miami.

Unseeded American Danielle Collins sent an out-of-sorts Barty crashing out of the Adelaide International in the second round last month.

Collins seized on some poor serving from the Australian to claim a convincing 6-3, 6-4 win in just 65 minutes.

It was his first win over Barty in three encounters and her first win against a current world number one.

AFP/ Mercy Chukwudiebere