Halep closes in on world No. 1 Osaka

Credit to Author: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE| Date: Tue, 02 Apr 2019 16:34:02 +0000

PARIS: Simona Halep cut the gap to world No. 1 Naomi Osaka in the WTA rankings on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) after the Romanian made the semifinals at the Miami Open last week.

Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic is congratulated by Simona Halep of Romania after their match during day eleven of the Miami Open tennis on March 28, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. AFP PHOTO

French Open champion Halep, who last held the top spot in January, would have returned to the summit had she reached the final in Florida following Osaka’s early exit.

Halep reduced Osaka’s lead to 239 points and moved above Petra Kvitova after the Czech fell to eventual champion Ashleigh Barty in the last eight.

Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit climbed to a best of 14th as she jumped five places following her run to the semifinals.

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WTA rankings on April 1:
1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 6,021 pts
2. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,782 (+1)
3. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 5,645 (-1)
4. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,580 (+3)
5. Angelique Kerber (GER) 5,165 (-1)
6. Kiki Bertens (NED) 5,050 (+2)
7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 5,020 (-2)
8. Sloane Stephens (USA) 4,287 (-2)
9. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 4,275 (+2)
10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,595 (-1)
11. Serena Williams (USA) 3,461 (-1)
12. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 3,270
13. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,117
14. Anett Kontaveit (EST) 2,845 (+5)
15. Julia Goerges (GER) 2,835
16. Wang Qiang (CHN) 2,812 (+2)
17. Elise Mertens (BEL) 2,800 (-3)
18. Madison Keys (USA) 2,726 (-2)
19. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 2,525 (-2)
20. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 2,460 (+1)

AFP

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