Tennis: Simona Halep crowned number one and only Kyrgios stands between Nadal and the crown

Simona Halep is the first Romanian woman to be crowned the number one tennis player. She beat Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinal to set up an encounter with Caroline Garcia in the upcoming final. Caroline upset Petra Kvitova 6-3, 7-5 in the other semifinal.

Caroline Garcia to play Simona Halep in the final

Ostapenko had not lost a set until against Simona Halep and couldn’t match Simona consistency and defense in the match. Caroline Garcia, on the other hand, is on a ten-match winning spree but her record against Halep is 0-2 in favor of Halep.

Simona is one of those many WTA number ones who reached the spot without winning a slam, even though she came dangerously close to pulling off that feat at the French Open this year.

Nadal and Kyrgios to meet in the final

Rafael Nadal continued doing what he does best, which is decimate opposition and obliterate Roger’s name and legacy from the annals of tennis. Nadal beat Gregor Dimitrov 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 to set a meeting with Nick Kyrgios in the finals of China Open. Nick is on a revival trip of his own and overcame the younger Zverev 6-3, 7-5.

Nick and Rafa are tied 2-2 in their head-to-head record, and Rafa’s last loss was to Nick Kyrgios in August this year. Nick probably is a better player than Rafa, but he doesn’t come close to Rafa’s mental and physical level and, at the highest level of the sport, matches are won and lost because of what exists between the ears rather than talent. However, I’d still give Nick a shot here as long as he can keep it together during the crucial moments of the match.