Nuremberg, Germany – Simona Halep of Romania captured her first career title Saturday with a straight-set victory over Germany's Andrea Petkovic in the final of the WTA event in Nuremburg.
The seventh-seeded Halep, in her fourth career final, posted a 6-3, 6-3 win on the red clay Saturday. She had previously lost in finals at Fes in 2010 and 2011, and last year in Brussels.
"This is a very nice win for me, and this is a very nice tournament -- I'll never forget this," said Halep.
Halep's best previous result this year was a semifinal loss to Serena Williams in Rome last month. She was quickly vanquished in the first round of the French Open by Carla Suarez Navarro.
Petkovic, who upset top-seeded Jelena Jankovic in Friday's semifinals, fell to 2-4 lifetime in finals. She has not won a title since 2011 in Strasbourg.
Halep had lost the only previous meeting with Petkovic, four years ago in her native Romania, but on Saturday turned the tables in the Yugoslavian-born's adoptive country.
"Andrea beat me in Romania a few years ago and I'm happy I could win against her here today," Halep added. "She played great and the atmosphere was great. It's an unbelievable feeling to win my first WTA title."
Halep claimed a first prize of $43,000.
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