Serena Williams beat Romania's Simona Halep to win the
season-ending WTA Tour Finals for the third year in a row on the event's debut
in Singapore.
The American top seed won 6-3 6-0 to claim the WTA title for
the fifth time.
Williams also gained revenge for suffering her heaviest
defeat in 16 years against Halep in the group stage.
The 33-year-old, who won her 18th Grand Slam singles title
at the US Open in September, will end the year as world number one for the
fourth time.
"I had to play more Serena-style tennis and just do
what I do best," said Williams.
"I was expecting a much better player than I was in the
earlier round. Being ready for that really was able to help me out."
Halep could have eliminated Williams in the group stage had
she lost to Ana Ivanovic in straight sets, but the Romanian lost in three to
throw the champion a lifeline.
"I have no regrets, because I did my job on court
against Ivanovic," said Halep. "I tried to win the match. I couldn't,
but I never thought that I have to lose in two sets against Ivanovic."
Both Williams and Halep were below their best in the final,
which failed to live up to the American's thrilling semi-final win over
Caroline Wozniacki, but once she had clinched the first set there was little
danger of Williams giving up her title.
She began the match in edgy fashion, having to save break
point in her opening service game before being broken in her second, but Halep
could not convert a chance to move 3-1 ahead and was pegged back.
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