Tennis News: Halep finds Cahill replacement in Van Cleemput

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Former world number one Simona Halep

Simona Halep has hired Thierry Van Cleemput as her new coach.

The news was confirmed to WTA Insider and Van Cleemput, who previously worked with Belgian compatriot David Goffin, will formally start working with the former world number one at the Qatar Open next week.

Halep split with former coach Darren Cahill during tennis' close season, with the Australian saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Under Cahill, Halep became world number one and won her first grand slam title at last year's French Open.

Van Cleemput split with Goffin during last month's Australian Open and was later seen working with Halep in Melbourne.

He had worked with Goffin for five years and previously coached Steve Darcis and Olivier Rochus, while serving as Belgium's Davis Cup assistant captain from 2002 to 2005.

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