Lucie Safarova has recorded a straight-sets triumph over Victoria Azarenka to win the Qatar Open.
The 28-year-old's serve proved key as she ran out a 6-4 6-3 winner in Saturday's final in Doha.
In their first meeting for almost four years, it was Safarova who began on the front foot as she attempted to record her first victory over the two-time Australian Open winner.
However, after opening up a 3-1 advantage, Safarova fell to within a point of going 5-3 behind, only to regain her composure and end the set strongly to move into the lead.
Azarenka, who was looking to improve on her current ranking of 48, created four break openings during the second set, but she could not convert and Safarova was able to break two more times on her way to her sixth WTA title.
Darren Plant
