MASON: Simona Halep moved within a victory of the world number one ranking.

The second-ranked Halep needed just 54 minutes to cruise past Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-1 on Saturday in the Western & Southern Open semifinals, and can displace Karolina Pliskova as the top of the ranking by winning the final against Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza.

“I think it’s something special to get number one in the world,” Halep told reporters. “Everyone can get to number one now. The ranking is close. I really want that.”

The fourth-ranked Muguruza reached the final with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Czech defending champion Pliskova in less than 80 minutes.

Australia’s 23rd-ranked Nick Kyrgios and Bulgaria’s 11th-ranked Grigor Dimitrov advanced to the men’s final, where the winner will claim his first ATP Masters crown.

Kyrgios eliminated Spain’s David Ferrer 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4) while Dimitrov dispatched 19th-ranked American John Isner 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (12-10).

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2017