Simona Halep holds top ranking as Madison Keys withdraws in Rome

Simona Halep needed to reach at least the quarterfinals and go further than world No 2 Caroline Wozniacki to retain the top ranking going into the French Open.

Romanian Simona Halep will extend her stay as world No 1 after being handed a walkover into the Italian Open quarterfinals when American Madison Keys withdrew injured on Thursday.

Simona Halep Romanian Simona Halep will extend her stay as world No 1 going into the French Open. (Getty Images)

Halep needed to reach at least the quarterfinals and go further than world number two Caroline Wozniacki to retain the top-ranking going into the French Open.

Keys, runner-up in Rome in 2016, was unable to take to court because of a right rib injury.

“I felt my rib in my match yesterday and after trying to warm up this morning it was still painful,” she said.

Halep, runner-up last year, will play either Sloane Stephens or Caroline Garcia in the last eight.