Top seed Simona Halep put together a picture-perfect performance in the final of the BRD Bucharest Open, claiming her second hometown title in three years with a nearly flawless 6-0, 6-0 victory over seventh seed Anastasija Sevastova.

Halep Races Through Opening Set

After setting the tone with an emphatic hold at love, Halep wasted no time in stamping her authority early, saving a trio of game points before ultimately going on to break her Latvian counterpart at the first time of asking. Another routine hold would follow suit, thus allowing the Romanian to consolidate her early advantage, and jump out to the perfect start against a potentially dangerous opposition.

Simona Halep hits a backhand during the final of the 2016 Bucharest Open. | Photo: Bucharest Open
Simona Halep hits a backhand during the final of the 2016 Bucharest Open. | Photo: Bucharest Open

From there, things quickly went from bad to worse for the Latvian as she was broken once more as a wayward backhand handed Halep the second break and with it, a commanding 4-0 lead. Not showing any signs of slowing down, the world number five continued to roll on serve; some stellar defence paired with some world-class hitting, as well as a scorching backhand winner down the line on game point, allowing her to hold and go within one game of taking the opening set.

From there, it was only a matter of time until the Romanian made the most of her opportunities to take a near-flawless opening set, 6-0, in just 21 minutes.

Simona Halep hits a forehand during the final of the 2016 Bucharest Open. | Photo: Bucharest Open
Simona Halep hits a forehand during the final of the 2016 Bucharest Open. | Photo: Bucharest Open

Halep Seals Third Career Double Bagel Victory

Continuing right where she left off, Halep continued to put Sevastova under pressure, while chasing down everything the Latvian threw at her and returning every shot with a clear statement of intent. Just moments after opening the set with yet another routine hold, it was clear that Halep had no intentions of slowing down; another break for the Romanian enough to put her a set and 2-0 to the good. Continuing in this similar pattern, the world number five's consistency paired with her speed and agility around the court were enough to help her consolidate the early break as Sevastova began to look increasingly out of sorts. A second break of the set, and a fifth overall would soon follow suit as Halep was inching her way closer to a second title in as many years on home soil.

However, Sevastova seemed to put up one last fight in the fifth game, when she benefited from a series of miscues from Halep to give herself a pair of break points, alas she was unable to take them. Facing her first real test on serve all match, the top seed passed with flying colours, denying the Latvian a chance to get on the board as she served and defended her way out of trouble.

Simona Halep celebrates after winning a point during the final of the 2016 Bucharest Open. | Photo: Bucharest Open
Simona Halep celebrates after winning a point during the final of the 2016 Bucharest Open. | Photo: Bucharest Open
 

In the end, that fifth game proved to be the nail in the coffin for Sevastova as Halep wasted no time in sealing the deal at the first time of asking--a huge forehand return winner down the line sealing her a picture-perfect 6-0, 6-0 victory, the third of her career but first at a WTA main-draw level.

Here is a list of Halep's three professional "double bagel" victories:

Tour Level City Round Player
ITF $25,000 Kristienhamn Final round of qualifying Hilda Melander
ITF $50,000 Makarska Quarterfinal Anne Schaefer
WTA International Bucharest Final Anastasija Sevastova

Post-Match Thoughts from Halep

“I think I've never won 6-0, 6-0 in a WTA event,” Halep said after the match. “I knew she was a tough adversary and I never dreamt of winning this way. A player that reaches the final has a strong game, feels the game.”

“Today I think I was more solid, I fought every ball, I was aggressive and I managed to finish the points very quick.”

“I cannot compare today’s match to anything, it's a very special feeling to win home,” Halep later said, explaining how this victory compares to the others she's enjoyed of her career. “This tournament is great because it takes place in Bucharest and many Romanians have come to support me.”

Simona Halep poses with the winner's trophy after defeating Anastasija Sevastova in the final of the 2016 BRD Bucharest Open. | Photo: Bucharest Open
Simona Halep poses with the winner's trophy after defeating Anastasija Sevastova in the final of the 2016 BRD Bucharest Open. | Photo: Bucharest Open

“I am very happy, especially because I won like this. I was very strong, I was confident, and I can also say I was determined from the very beginning. It was a beautiful final and it's also my 13th title.”

“I will never forget this day.”

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About the author
Max Gao
Max Gao is a sports writer specializing in tennis and the Toronto Blue Jays, who has also written on the Rogers Cup website as a guest contributor in the past.