MADRID. Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep battling head to head for world no.1 rank

Naomi and Simona are both in the quarters and battling for the top spot of the rankings

Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep

Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep are battling hard for the top spot of the rankings in Madrid.

Naomi Osaka

Naomi is finding a very good form on clay after she won the last 5 matches and it seems that her confidence is getting better and better on the dirt win after win. The world no.1 conceded just 5 games to Aliaksandra Sasnovich to win 6-2 6-3 in the 3rd round.

Naomi Osaka will face Belinda Bencic in the quarters.  The head to head is 1-0 for Belinda that defeated Naomi in the 4th round of Indian Wells this year 6-3 6-1.

Head to head Naomi Osaka vs. Belinda Bencic

Simona Halep

The Romanian is having an outstanding run in Madrid especially after she demolished Viktoria Kuzmova 6-0 6-0 in the 3rd round. With this kind of form, Simona is probably the top favorite to win Madrid for the 3rd time in her fantastic career after 2016 and 2017.

Simona will face Ashleigh Barty in the quarters. The head to head is 2-1 for Simona, but they have never played each other on clay so far.

Head to head Simona Halep vs. Ashleigh Barty

Who will be the world no.1 after Madrid?

Naomi needs to win another match to be sure to retain the top rank. If the Japanese fails to do so, Halep can take back the world no.1 rank if she wins the title.