American tennis great Serena Williams destroyed Simona Halep 6-3 6-0 to win the WTA Tennis Finals championship in Singapore, avenging her loss to the Romanian earlier in the tournament.
Serena Williams celebrates after winning a point in Singapore. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Williams banished the memories of her "embarrassing" loss to Halep in the group stage of the season-ending tournament with a ruthless display, overpowering her pint-sized opponent at every opportunity.
Halep shocked Williams 6-0 6-2 in the group stage of the elite event but was unable to repeat that performance as the American reminded everyone why she is the number one player in the world.
Williams says she made so many errors in their last game, and she knew she couldn't make that many errors again.
"I had to play more Serena style tennis and just do what I do best: enforce myself. That's what I was trying to do."
It's Williams' third successive win in the WTA Finals, second only in prestige to the four grand slams, and her fifth overall, tied for second with Steffi Graf.
Only Martina Navratilova, with eight titles, has won more, but with Williams showing no signs of slowing down at the age of 33, it is not inconceivable the American could overhaul her.
The odds were stacked against Williams winning in Singapore after she pulled out of two events in China because of a knee injury then lost to Halep in the group stages.
But, as she has shown time and time again throughout her illustrious career, Williams has a knack for raising her game when it matters, as Halep learnt the hard way at Singapore's National Indoor Stadium.
"It was an amazing week for me so I cannot be sad that I lost," said Halep.
"Congratulations to Serena - you are the best."
