WTA Finals: Simona Halep dominates Madison Keys to seal win

Simona Halep returns against Madison Keys during their first round match at the WTA Finals in Singapore yesterday. pic/AFP

Singapore: Simona Halep laid down an ominous marker for her rivals at the WTA Finals yesterday, demolishing rising American Madison Keys 6-2, 6-4 in the opening match.

The Romanian looked in great touch on her return to Singapore's purple indoor hardcourt, needing just 68 minutes to win her round-robin match against Keys in straight sets.

The big-hitting Keys struggled to find her rhythm against Halep, who is one of the most tenacious counter-punchers in the game, committing 18 unforced errors and losing 13 points in a row to concede the opening set after just 27 minutes.

Madison Keys

"There were definitely some nerves, which I don't think is surprising," said Keys, who was appearing in the elite eight-player championship for the first time. "It's been a while since I've gone to a tournament where it's all felt new, so that was kind of difficult to deal with."