Halep defeats Siniakova to win WTA Shenzhen Open

World number one Simona Halep continued her preparations for the Australian Open by lifting the Shenzhen Open title after a 6-1, 2-6, 6-0 victory over holder Katerina Siniakova on Saturday.

In a rain-delayed match that was moved to the indoor courts, Halep got off to a flying start and did not face a single break point as she easily won the first set 6-1. The Romanian's last triumph was at the Madrid Open last year.

21-year-old Siniakova fought back to take the second set 6-2 with Halep appearing to lose focus.

Simona Halep poses for a photo with her Single's and Double's Champion trophies at 2018 WTA Shenzhen Open. /VCG photo

But the top seed regained her composure to break the Czech's serve three times in the third set and sealed a comfortable 6-0 win, earned her first tournament title since May's Madrid Open. The 26-year-old is now among the favorites to win her maiden grand slam title at this month's Australian Open.

"I was a little bit less nervous and just tried to enjoy the moment even if we are playing indoors,” Halep said. “It’s not easy but we did our job and I’m happy that I could win the first title of the year."

Halep also lifted on Women’s doubles trophy after she and Irina-Camelia Begu defeated the Czech duo of Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova, 1-6, 6-1, 10-8.