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Halep wins Shenzhen, looks to Melbourne

Xinhua, January 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

World No. 3 Simona Halep stormed over Timea Bacsinszky in straight sets to win WTA Shenzhen Open here on Saturday, adding ninth WTA title to her collection.

The top-seeded Romanian held all eight of her service games - never facing a break point - and getting four breaks of her own to beat the No.8-seeded Bacsinszky in 62 minutes, 6-2, 6-2.

"I am really happy I played better and better day by day and match by match," said Halep.

"I'm looking forward to the next tournament and to play just like today or even better," she added.

The now retired Li Na who was the last year's winner, presented the trophy to Halep. Li also won the 2014 Australian Open after she claimed the Shenzhen title.

As for the first Grand Slam event, the 23-year old said, "I don't want to put any pressure on myself for the Australian Open. I have to be focused there, and I hope to win many matches there, but it'll be tough. I'll just try to do everything I did here."

Despite coming up one win short, it was still a dream week for Bacsinszky, who had overcame a serious foot injury. Not only did she reach her first WTA final since 2010, but in the semifinals she beat No.4-ranked Petra Kvitova, the equal-biggest win of her career.

"It was a great week for me. I'm really happy that I made it into the final. I am improving every time I am in China. First quarters in Wuhan, then a semifinal in Guangzhou, now a final. Hopefully soon I will lift a trophy here," said the 25-year old.

In the doubles final, the Kichenok twins - Lyudmyla and Nadiia - became just the second set of twins to win a WTA doubles title together, by beating Chinese duo Liang Chen and Wang Yafan, 6-4, 7-6 (6). The Pliskova twins have won three WTA doubles titles together. Endi