HUA HIN, December 25, 2017

Simon Halep clinched the Intercontinental World Tennis Thailand Championship trophy on Sunday at the True Arena in Hua Hin. The World No. 1 beat Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 6-3 in the final, while Johanna Konta beat Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-3 in the third-place play-off.

“I had good two matches. It was tough to beat her today. But I think I played  solid since yesterday,” Pliskova said.

Halep, who will stay in Hua Hin for a few days before starting the new season at the WTA International event in Shenzhen, told: “I’m happy I could win two matches.”

The 26-year-old from Romania added with a smile: “Someone told me if you win here you will win the Australian Open. If I don’t win, it’s not my fault OK?”