Halep had previously led the world rankings for 48 consecutive weeks before being replaced by Naomi Osaka, after the Japanese player won the Australian Open in January.

Due to Osaka’s early exit in Miami, Halep would have regain top spot should she progress through to the final of the Women’s Tennis Association Premier Mandatory event.

The 27-year-old appeared on course to achieve the feat as she led 5-3 in the opening set of her semi-final match against the Karolína Plíšková, which included a long break due to rain.

Plíšková responded impressively as she broke Halep’s serve on consecutive occasions, the Czech snatching the first set at the Hard Rock Stadium.

The momentum remained with Plíšková, who stormed into a 5-0 advantage in the second set.

Her progress was halted by another rain delay which lasted over one hour.

The players eventually returned where Plíšková wrapped up a 7-5, 6-1 victory.

She will is now set to face Australia’s Ashleigh Barty in the final.

Barty enjoyed a surprise win over the another Czech, Petra Kvitová, as she overcame the tournament third seed 7-6, 3-6, 6-2.

In the Association of Tennis Professionals Masters 1000 competition, Switzerland’s Roger Federer eased into the semi-finals.

The three-time Miami Open winner cruised to a 6-0, 6-4 win over South Africa’s Kevin Anderson.

Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, is now due to face Canada’s Denis Shapovalov.

Shapovalov came from a set down to beat the United States’ Frances Tiafoe 6-7, 6-4, 6-2.