Simona Halep Defeats Petkovic for First Career Title

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Simona Halep Defeats Petkovic for First Career Title

By Chris Oddo

(June 15, 2013) -- With all eyes on the inspiring comeback of Andrea Petkovic, Simona Halep stole the show in Nurnberg.

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The 21-year-old defeated Petkovic in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, to earn her first career title at the inaugural Nurnberger Versicherungscup on Saturday.

Halep who scored her first top five (d. A. Radwanska) win in May when she reached the Rome semifinals, had previously lost all three of her finals, all on clay. She dropped only one set all week, in yesterday's semifinal against Lucie Safarova.

Today, Halep was grace under pressure, saving all eight break points she faced against the German, and breaking twice in the first set and once in the second to clinch the victory in 83 minutes.

Petkovic, playing in her first WTA final since October of 2011, will return to the top 100 on Monday. She had dropped as low as 177 in March.

Halep, a former Roland Garros Girls Singles champion, entered the event with a ranking of 58 in the world.

(Photo Credit: AP)