Halep beats Pliskova in Dubai final

Romania's Simona Halep kisses her trophy after winning the singles tennis final match at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships February 21, 2015. Halep overcame Czech Karolina Pliskova 6-4 7-6(4) in the final of the Dubai Championships on Saturday to claim a 10th WTA singles title that will lift her back to third in the world rankings. [Photo/Agencies]

Halep clinched the first set with an angled serve that a lunging Pliskova scuffed into the net.

With the large Romanian contingent chanting her name on a balmy desert evening, Halep eased off in the second, a wide forehand and a double fault gifting Pliskova a 2-0 lead.

Halep broke immediately, Pliskova shanking a forehand long that led the Czech to leave court for treatment on a hip injury.

The final six games went against serve. Pliskova saved match point with a crosscourt backhand winner and Halep double-faulted on another as the set went to a tiebreak, but a forehand winner sealed it 7-4.