Halep closes in on world No 1 Osaka

Paris - Simona Halep cut the gap to world No 1 Naomi Osaka in the WTA rankings on Monday after the Romanian made the semi-finals at the Miami Open last week.

French Open champion Halep, who last held the top spot in January, would have returned to the summit had she reached the final in Florida following Osaka's early exit.

Halep reduced Osaka's lead to 239 points and moved above Petra Kvitova after the Czech fell to eventual champion Ashleigh Barty in the last eight.

Estonia's Anett Kontaveit climbed to a best of 14th as she jumped five places following her run to the semi-finals.

Top 20 in the latest WTA Tour rankings:

1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 6 021

2. Simona Halep (ROM) 5 782

3. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 5 645

4. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5 580

5. Angelique Kerber (GER) 5 165

6. Kiki Bertens (NED) 5 050

7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 5 020

8. Sloane Stephens (USA) 4 287

9. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 4 275

10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3 595

11. Serena Williams (USA) 3 461

12. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 3 270

13. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3 117

14. Anett Kontaveit (EST) 2 845

15. Julia Goerges (GER) 2 835

16. Wang Qiang (CHN) 2 812

17. Elise Mertens (BEL) 2 800

18. Madison Keys (USA) 2 726

19. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 2 525

20. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 2 460