Lob and Smash
Fansided

Australian Open: Halep-Wozniacki battle for No. 1 in the finals

By Harry Floyd

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 25: Simona Halep of Romania celebrates winning her semi-final match against Angelique Kerber of Germany on day 11 of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 25: Simona Halep of Romania celebrates winning her semi-final match against Angelique Kerber of Germany on day 11 of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Australian Open finals is set on the women’s singles side. Top seed and world No. 1 Simona Halep looks to defend her ranking against Caroline Wozniacki.

We will have a new Grand Slam champion this year at the Australian Open.

Both world No. 1 Simona Halep and Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki remain in search of their first ever major tournament title. It will happen for one of them this weekend. That isn’t the only thing up for grabs though. The two players are battling for the world No. 1 ranking.

Wozniacki is a former world No. 1 herself. Seeing success in the past, she seems to have rediscovered herself and entered a new era in her career. Her 2017 WTA Tour was one of consistency and dominant play, catapulting her into the world No. 2 ranking.

Just ahead of Wozniacki is Halep. Ending the year at No. 1, she comes into 2018 with a lot to play for. The top spot in women’s tennis changed hands several times in 2017 and it is up to Halep now to retain it. Odds are that both players are entirely focused on taking the Australian Open title though. Any outcomes related to rankings is simply an added bonus.

Wozniacki is fresh off of her WTA Finals win in Singapore. The biggest tournament win to date in her career, the  Danish tennis star ousted American Venus Williams for the victory. Halep, on the other hand, is coming off of a finals win in Shenzhen.

Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki each search for that elusive Grand Slam title this weekend at the 2018 Australian Open.

Coming into the finals, Halep eliminates former champion Angelique Kerber. While it seemed Kerber may have taken the momentum heading into a third set, the top seed closes out the match. She wins a thrilling semifinals meeting, going 6-3, 4-6, 9-7.

Next: Top 10: Men's Singles Tennis

Look for both players to be at their best in the finals. Halep and Wozniacki have seen strong runs so far at Melbourne Park and it is fitting that they are the No. 1 and 2 seeds respectively. While the matchup is one many were hoping for, the realization that is it actually happening is amazing. Check back for updates on all of the action at the Australian Open as we gear up for the finals in women’s singles this weekend.

Home/Australian Open