Halep Has Clear Path to No.1 at Roland Garros


By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday, September 26, 2020The last time Simona Halep was the top seed at Roland Garros, she took home her maiden major title by toppling Sloane Stephens from a set and break down in the 2018 final.Tennis ExpressThis year the Romanian is the top seed again, and a dream scenario could unfold if she is able to take the title again: she’d also retake the No.1 ranking. Halep is 1570 points behind Ashleigh Barty at the start of the tournament and would need to claim the title to move back to the top of the WTA rankings. If she does, the 29-year-old would begin her 65th week at the top of the rankings table on the Monday after the French Open.Halep ranks 10th all-time on the WTA’s weeks at No.1 list, just seven spots behind Caroline Wozniacki, the next highest.Halep, who is the oddsmakers’ favorite to win it all in Paris, says she feels no pressure at all.No, it's not extra pressure,” she said. “I'm used to this kind of pressure because I've been No. 1 seeded in the past. I've been in this position. So, no, I take it in a right way, and I take it as a normal tournament. So no extra pressure for me, it's just a positive pressure that I have.” ]]>

Richard Pagliaro is Tennis Now Managing Editor. He is a graduate of New York University and has covered pro tennis for more than 35 years. Richard was tennis columnist for Gannett Newspapers in NY, served as Managing Editor for TennisWeek.com and worked as a writer/editor for Tennis.com. He has been TennisNow.com managing editor since 2010.