Tennis rankings: Halep secures year-end No 1 spot, Djokovic closes in on Nadal

Simona Halep has secured the year-end number one ranking in the WTA standings for the second year running.

The Romanian spent 40 weeks at No. 1 in 2018, a season that saw her win three titles from a tour-leading six final appearances, amassing a 46-11 win-loss record.

This year Halep has won the Shenzhen Open, the Rogers Cup and her debut Grand Slam crown at Roland Garros.

In addition, she reached the title match at the Australian Open, in Rome and Cincinnati.

“Finishing the season as the WTA World No.1 last year was a huge honour for me,” said Halep.

“To do it for a second time in 2018 feels like a special achievement, especially having also won my first Grand Slam this year. To be able to see my name again alongside the other legends who have achieved the year-end No.1 ranking makes me very proud.”

Novak Djokovic is closing in on Rafael Nadal’s number one spot after winning the Shanghai Masters title, according to ATP rankings released Monday.

Nadal is struggling with a knee injury and has decided to sit out the current Asian segment of the ATP tour. Last week he joined the clean-up operation after deadly flash floods on his native Majorca.

After his 6-3, 6-4 victory over Borna Coric in the Shanghai final on Sunday, Djokovic is just 215 points behind the Spaniard.