Hua Hin: Top-ranked Simona Halep lived up to her No.1 status, defeating Karolina Pliskova in straight sets to win the World Tennis Thailand Championship yesterday.
The 26-year-old Halep of Romania was dominant throughout her 6-2, 6-3 victory over the Czech No.4 in the final encounter at True Arena Hua Hin.
Playing against the backdrop of Hua Hin sunset, Halep broke Pliskova three times while letting her opponent break back only once in the opening set.
The second set followed a similar pattern with Halep getting a break in the first game. Pliskova was left chasing for the rest of the set before Halep broke again in the ninth game to seal the set and the match.
"This is a good preparation for the Australian Open. It was great to win both matches here," said Halep, referring the first Grand Slam of the year next month.
"Someone told me that if I win this tournament I will win the Australian Open, so if I couldn't win it, it is my fault!," quipped the Romanian.
"It was a pleasure to play in front of you guys [the Thai fans] here and I hope to come back in the future," she added.
Britain's world No.9 Johanna Konta defeated French Open champion and No.7 Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 6-3, 6-2 in the third-place play-off match.
Earlier on Saturday, Halep defeated Konta 6-3, 6-3, while Pliskova beat Ostakenko 6-1, 6-4.
Before the actual competiton yesterday, the players enjoyed some sightseeing at Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle and Vana Cave Cafe in the morning. They also had a chance to put their tennis skills to test at a rooftop observation deck on the 27th floor of Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin hotel.
The glass-bottomed deck, which sits 110m above the ground, offers panoramic view of Hua Hin Bay, Khao Takiab and Khao Tao and is considered a new landmark of the resort town.
"The players had a great time today. They all enjoyed the activities we arranged for them," said Suwat Liptapanlop, chief adviser to the organising committee.
"Although this is just an exhibition tournament, the players gave it their all during the semi-finals on Saturday. Even an International Tennis Federation (ITF) official has commented on that.
"I think all of them want to win this tournament because it will be a good start to the new season and that can only be a good thing with the first Grand Slam of the year -- the Australian Open -- soon to start next month," added Suwat.
Azarenka to miss ASB Classic
A continuing custody dispute has prevented two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka from resuming her career at the ASB Classic in Auckland from Jan 1.
Azarenka notified tournament organisers yesterday that she will be unable to play the tournament for "personal reasons".
The former world No.1 has not played since Wimbledon in July because she cannot leave California until a dispute with her former partner over the custody of their son Leo is resolved.
Tournament director Karl Budge said: "There is obviously a fair bit going on and unfortunately the result of that is that Victoria won't be here next week. That's a tough one for her. She's been training hard and is a professional tennis player that wants to be playing tennis."
Azarenka has been given a wild card into the Australian Open which begins Jan 15.
Meanwhile Japanese star Kei Nishikori has withdrawn from the season-opening Brisbane International as he recovers from a wrist injury.
Nishikori, 27, has been out of action for more than four months, dropping to 22 in the world rankings.
"I am so disappointed to miss Brisbane this year. For years, it's been my first tournament of the season and I always feel so at home there," Nishikori said.
US Open champion Sloane Stephens has also been ruled out of the Brisbane women's tournament with a knee injury. The event takes place from Dec 31 to Jan 7. bangkok post/afp
