Monica Niculescu beat Alize Cornet 6-4 6-0 in the final of the Guangzhou Open to claim her second WTA Tour title.


Cornet, the world No 22 and second seed at the tournament, broke twice on the way to taking a 4-2 lead in the opening set before losing the next 10 games in a row.

Niculescu was helped by 12 double faults from her French opponent and the 61st-ranked Romanian was able to close out victory in one hour and 44 minutes.

"I was so happy to finish in the end because it was very hot and very humid, and I was very, very tired," Niculescu, who did not drop a set all week, told the WTA Tour's official website.

"But to finish so strong was amazing for me. I have many emotions right now, but most of it is joy and confidence. It's my second WTA title and that's an amazing feeling.

"I think it's very tough to play against me because I put many balls back and run a lot and fight for every ball - I think in this heat and humidity it's definitely not easy to play against me."