US Open 2017: Why clash with Maria Sharapova could be best draw possible for Simona Halep

It was a devastated Simona Halep who trudged away from the Cincinnati Open a fortnight ago. Demolished 6-1, 6-0 by Garbine Muguruza in the final, she had once again missed the opportunity to grab the World No.1 spot.

“I tried to hit the ball and couldn't much, then I tried to go back a little bit and was not good,” an obviously perplexed Halep said afterwards. “I don't really know what I had to do, and I think she was just too good today."

She later posted on social media that she wanted to apologise to her fans for the final, adding, “Sometimes, like today, I can’t even respond to [coach] Darren [Cahill]’s advice.”

It is no wonder she was feeling down. The Romanian has had the chance to top the rankings three other times so far this year – at the French Open, Eastbourne and Wimbledon – and not managed it yet.

Nor has she claimed a Grand Slam title. She reached the final at Roland Garros in June – and was stunned by teenager Jelena Ostapenko, losing 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to the young Latvian.

Still, Halep is only 25. Theoretically she has plenty of time to finally get to the top spot, and to win a Slam. Could she manage it at the US Open?

She will be the woman to chase down, certainly. She is only five ranking points behind current World No.1 Karolina Pliskova – and because of the way the ranking system works, the Czech will need to equal or better last year’s achievement of reaching the final if she wants to hold off Halep.

Pliskova, however, has drawn Poland’s Magda Linette in the first round at Flushing Meadows.

Halep has to face a former champion – wildcard Maria Sharapova. More than that, she has never beaten the Russian before.

Perhaps, though, it’s the best draw Halep could have hoped for.

Sharapova might have a mighty track record – but since her return to the WTA Tour following a suspension for a doping infraction, her body has been letting her down. She withdrew from the Bank of the West Classic last month after sustaining a left arm injury; before that she had missed the grass court season due to a thigh injury she picked up during the BNP Internazionale d'Italia back in May. It’s possible that she still isn’t at the majestic top of her game – and thus might be the ideal opponent for a short-on-confidence Halep.

Whatever the result, the victor will be one of the favourites to progress through the tournament – and even lift that trophy at the end of the fortnight.

And if that's Halep, she will finally be on top of the world.