Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep’s four-year ban for doping has been reduced to nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The decision means Romanian former world number one Halep, 32, can return to tennis immediately.

She feared her career would be over if the original decision was upheld.

While her case was partially upheld, Cas ruled Halep “on the balance of probabilities” had not taken roxadustat intentionally.

Halep, who won the 2018 French Open and Wimbledon in 2019, always maintained her innocence.