WTA Shenzhen Open: Halep beats Siniakova 6-1, 2-6, 6-0

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Time now for a bit of tennis from China as world number one Simona Halep was looking to begin the year with a title when she faced defending champion Katerina Siniakova in the Shenzhen Open final.

This event serves as a warm-up for the first grand slam of the year, the Australian Open which begins on January 15th, and with title holder Serena Williams withdrawing, Halep will be among the favourites to claim her maiden major.

The rain-delayed match would have to be played indoors in front of few fans and Romania's Halep gets off to a flying start and does not face a single break point as she easily wins the first set 6-1. Halep's last title came at the Madrid Open last May.

But the Czech Republic's Siniakova fights back to take the second set 6-2 as Halep appears to lose focus. However the top seed regains her composure to break the Czech's serve three times in the third and seal a comfortable 6-0 win. A great start to the season for the 26-year-old. She and Brisbane winner Elina Svitolina will be two of the favourites to win at the Australian Open.