Prague Open 2020: Simona Halep crowned champion after beating Elise Mertens in straight sets

Prague: Top seed Simona Halep won the Prague Open, the second post-lockdown WTA event, after beating Belgium's Elise Mertens in straight sets on Sunday.Romania's Halep, the 28-year-old reigning Wimbledon champion and world number two, beat the 23rd-ranked Mertens 6-2, 7-5 in an hour and 33 minutes.It was her 21st career WTA title, making her the fifth most successful active player behind Serena and Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters and Petra Kvitova.Mertens took a 2-0 lead in the first set but Halep then won seven games in a row to win that set and start the second on a high, extending her lead to 4-2.Leaning on her superb backhand, Mertens put Halep under pressure with her aggressive display, coming back for a 5-4 lead.But that was it from the 24-year-old Belgian as Halep won the next three games to seal the victory."Even the first set was not easy, she's a great opponent and it's always tough to play against her because she's fast," Halep told the public broadcaster Czech Television."The second set was a little bit tougher but I was strong and that's why I could win this match."Halep said she would decide on whether to play the US Open on Monday."Now it's too fast to take a decision, I just want to enjoy this victory and then I will have a thought about the US Open," she added.Earlier on Saturday, Czechs Lucie Hradecka and Kristyna Pliskova won the Prague Open doubles after beating Monica Niculescu and Raluca Olaru of Romania 6-2, 6-2.The tournament was played behind closed doors to avoid COVID-19 contagion, and the players had to wear face masks any time they were not playing, training or eating.