Simona Halep makes history, becomes World No 1

Simona Halep wrote history today as she became world number one after beating Jelena Ostapenko. Simona has beaten the teenager with 6-2, 6-4 and has qualified in the Beijing finals.

She said

Words cannot describe what I feel now. It is the best performance of my career. It is amazing to be number one. I would like to thank China. I have managed to beat Maria Sharapova here. I will never forget this day.

Simona has been in a great shape during the Beijing competition. She has managed to beat Maria Sharapova with 6-2, 6-2 and also Daria Kasatkina with 6-2,6-1.

This is the first time Simona has played in the Beijing semifinals. The prizes in the competition amount to 6 million dollars. In the finals Simona Halep will meet either Petra Kvitova or Caroline Garcia, depending on the results of today.