Lob and Smash
Fansided

Simona Halep set to lead talented 2018 Australian Open field

By Harry Floyd

SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 28: Simona Halep of Romania poses with the WTA World No.1 trophy during day 7 of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global at Singapore Sports Hub on October 28, 2017 in Singapore. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for WTA)
SINGAPORE - OCTOBER 28: Simona Halep of Romania poses with the WTA World No.1 trophy during day 7 of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global at Singapore Sports Hub on October 28, 2017 in Singapore. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for WTA) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Simona Halep is set to take on a talented 2018 Australian Open field. The Romanian is the world No. 1 in women’s singles tennis.

Simona Halep completes a fantastic year on the WTA Tour. Now, she is hard at work in the offseason as she prepares for the first Grand Slam of 2018.

Play at the 2018 Australian Open will feature the best in women’s singles tennis. While fans and players await the return of defending champion Serena Williams, Halep is the current world No. 1 and frontrunner for the major tournament.

More from Lob and Smash

The Romanian tennis star saw career heights on the 2017 WTA Tour. To go along with a singles title in Madrid, Halep finished with a 45-17 singles match record on the year. Included in her strong season was a runner-up finish at the 2017 French Open.

Simona Halep remains in search of her first ever Grand Slam singles title.

No stranger to the big stage, the Romanian is a former Junior Grand Slam title winner. She has been a player to watch in women’s tennis for nearly a decade. Now, at just 26-years-old, Halep is entering a new era in her career.

Williams took the 2017 Australian Open title, defeating sister Venus in the finals. Taking the meeting in straight sets, Williams won 6–4, 6–4. It was later learned that Williams was expecting and now the sport is anxious for her return to the court. Venus would go on to have a phenomenal year, ending with the world No. 5 ranking. She will also be a player to watch at Melbourne Park.

Related Story: 10 Best in Men's Singles

Simona Halep will not only need to contend with players such as the Williams sisters, but also WTA Finals winner Caroline Wozniacki, world No. 2 Garbine Muguruza, and even Russian superstar Maria Sharapova. The 2008 champion at Melbourne Park, Sharapova is playing in her first Australian Open in two years.

Next: Federer is 2017's Best in Men's Tennis

Look for Halep to come out strong in all of the 2018 major tournaments. She will be eager to seek her first Grand Slam singles title yet again in the new year. After a stellar 2017 WTA Tour, the world No. 1 in women’s singles tennis is poised to continue her solid run in the coming months. Check back to see how the seedings unfold for the upcoming Australian Open.

Home/Australian Open