China Open: Simona Halep world number one after win over Jelena Ostapenko

Simona Halep has become world number one for the first time by beating Jelena Ostapenko to reach the final of the China Open.

Romanian Halep won 6-2 6-4 in Beijing and will replace Spain's Garbine Muguruza at the top of the rankings.

She will face France's Caroline Garcia, who beat Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic 6-3 7-5, in Sunday's final.

Garcia also maintained her hopes of denying Britain's Johanna Konta a place at the WTA Finals.

If the Frenchwoman wins the China Open, Konta must reach the final of the Kremlin Cup, which starts on 16 October, to claim the eighth and final place at the season finale in Singapore.

World number 15 Garcia has put together a decent run of form in the latter stages of the season.

Last month, she claimed the biggest title of her career at the Wuhan Open in China, beating Australian Ashleigh Barty in the final.

And in Beijing, the 23-year-old was dominant on her second serve and broke Kvitova to close out the match and line up a final against the new world number one.

Halep rises to the top

Halep, 26, will be confirmed in the number one spot when the rankings are released on Monday.

Having suffered a shock defeat by Ostapenko in this year's French Open final, Halep was always in control in her semi-final against the world number eight.

In June, Ostapenko denied Halep both a first Grand Slam title and the number one ranking with a stunning win in Paris.

The 20-year-old Latvian trailed by a set and was 3-0 down in the second but prevailed to become the first unseeded woman to win at Roland Garros since 1933.

But Saturday's semi-final was a more one-sided affair as Halep broke Ostapenko in the first game of the match.

Her serve was superior throughout - she won 75% of points on her first serve as she was broken just once.

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53 comments

Comment posted by Hilary, at 11:59 7 Oct 2017
Congratulations to Simona, who appears to be playing with a smile on her face & without putting too much pressure on herself. Also hope that Garcia manages to overtake Jo Konta, it could be even more disastrous for her to get to Singapore & continue her recent struggles, she needs to regroup. Garcia's recent form & inner steel have been impressive.
Comment posted by nozzie, at 12:03 7 Oct 2017
some see many different number ones and winners of slams as how poor the womens game is.

others can argue that it actually shows how competative it is at the moment.
Comment posted by Alex, at 14:29 7 Oct 2017
When there's only one number one, the women's field is too boring, when there's multiple number ones, the field is too weak. Can't win!
Comment posted by Huggie, at 11:55 7 Oct 2017
Can't help hoping Garcia wins to take top 8 spot off Konta. Seems like she needs kick up the ass to wake her up and start playing.

Congrats to Halep. Need to win GS or she'll be exactly the same as Wozniacki
Comment posted by Chris, at 11:48 7 Oct 2017
I do. She's a very good player and lovely to boot. Congrats young lady.
Comment posted by Gavin01, at 20:39 7 Oct 2017
Absolutely chuffed for Simona! She's had some hard knocks over the last few years but she keeps on bouncing back stronger!
Now go get that Slam, baby!
Comment posted by Paul, at 18:38 7 Oct 2017
Well done Simona.. Deserved.. Hard work and consistency paying off.
Comment posted by Emil Stoica, at 21:33 7 Oct 2017
Simona Halep, the girl next door. Very well done and deserved!
Comment posted by Alinpoland, at 16:21 7 Oct 2017
Well done Simona ! You've worked long and hard and fully deserve it.
Now you've got that bit out the way I think you are ready for a Slam or two or more. It's time to surpass the record of the last Romanian No 1, Ilie Nastase and do what he never did, win the Australian Open.
Comment posted by Dbmaddison, at 15:55 7 Oct 2017
@ 8
"Not the real number one....Queen Serena is that!!"

Serena isn't around, and if if she was, given her age, is doubtful she's be #1-ranked.

Simona, who once beat Serena 6-3, 6-0, fully deserves the # 1 ranking.
Comment posted by U16756157, at 15:06 7 Oct 2017
Now for a cracking final. Two young ladies on top form.

Heart says Halep, head says Garcia.

Good look to both.
Comment posted by roly, at 15:01 7 Oct 2017
Konta has only herself to blame for being in this predicament. After Wimbledon she has hardly played and when she has she has received a first round bye and then lost. Let's hope she learns the lesson of use it or lose it as she really needs to rethink her strategy otherwise is down the ladder for her from now on.
Comment posted by HandOfBob, at 12:48 7 Oct 2017
"17. Posted by judorick
on
13 minutes ago

@15

I been a tennis addict since about 1973..."

Then you should know how the ranking system works then.
Comment posted by Paul Henry, at 12:30 7 Oct 2017
It's been a while coming but most welcome now it's here. The Slams will follow soon enough.
Comment posted by Another User, at 15:43 7 Oct 2017
35. Usually people open an article after they read the headline and they probably care to find out more about the said subject. Why you open pages while not interested is your problem but to go ahead and broadcast your ignorance is plain stupid.
Comment posted by GoGoGi, at 12:28 7 Oct 2017
@10 getting to number one is based on results of all tournaments based on a rolling 12 months, slams are just four of those.
Comment posted by nozzie, at 11:47 7 Oct 2017
@1 fossit

me
Comment posted by lancs69, at 20:31 7 Oct 2017
She's had some knockers in the past but she's ignored them and deserves top spot!
Comment posted by FLAPPERS, at 13:49 7 Oct 2017
Am I a bad person because I only follow women's tennis because of how some of them look? I mean, women are okay to idolise the men but I feel like it's wrong if a man does the same. My bad. Simona is hot.
Comment posted by GoGoGi, at 12:48 7 Oct 2017
@17 then your comment @10 shows your ignorance about a game you’ve followed for 40 years

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