Simona Halep won’t lift a champions’ trophy this weekend but will leave Singapore with another honour – as the year-end world No.1 player.
Helped by victory in Madrid and all-round consistency at other 2017 events – including a second final at Roland Garros, along with runner-up performances in Rome, Cincinnati and Beijing – the 26-year-old becomes the first Romanian to finish in the coveted top spot.
Halep first rose to No.1 following her run to the China Open final – her 27th career final overall – earlier this month and was ensured of remaining there when Karolina Pliskova exited the WTA Finals in the semifinal stage.
At 196 weeks, Halep holds the longest-active streak inside the top 10 having remained in that upper echelon since her debut in January 2014.
DID YOU SEE? Popular new No.1 describes journey to the top.
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