How Simona Halep Can Replace Ashleigh Barty as World Number 1 After French Open 2020

Two time Grand Slam winner Simona Halep continues to steamroll her opponents in the French Open 2020. She is toying with all comers and demolishing everyone in her path at Roland Garros. Considering her form, the 2018 French Open winner is the favorite to claim this year’s Roland Garros as well.

Simona Halep’s performance is absolutely stunning and needless to state one of the most deserving of the title. Apart from her third Grand Slam win, the Romanian stands in front of another feat. If she can clinch her second French Open, she’ll be able to topple Ashleigh Barty and claim the number 1 ranking in WTA.

The tweet read, “Simona Halep 5-0 up on Anisimova at RG20 R3. She will pass Barty for #1 with a title.”

Simona Halep taking advantage of Barty’s absence

Ashleigh Barty has been absent from action for a long time. The Australian was last seen at her home Grand Slam, where she reached the semi-finals. Soon after the Australian Open 2020, the COVID-19 cases spiked, which resulted in normal life slowing down.

Tennis too was out of action for a few months. However, with the US Open 2020, the sport returned. Ashleigh Barty, however, pulled out of the tournament owing to the pandemic. Initially, fans assumed that she would defend her French Open title to mark her comeback. However, she broke the news prior to the start of the clay-court event that she would not take part.

Despite missing two Grand Slams, Barty still sits atop the WTA rankings. However, Halep has been making steady progress. The Romanian missed the US Open 2020, but marked her return with the clay-court swing. She appeared at the Prague Open, the Italian Open, and is making quick progress at the French Open.

On the back of two titles, Halep stepped into Roland Garros high on confidence. Her form over the last month has been spectacular. She is looking forward to claiming her second French Open title and few will say otherwise.