The final was a hard-fought, hard-hitting affair, with Williams coming out sharper - she raced out to an early 4-1 lead - but Pliskova closing in to 4-all before Williams snuck out the opening set, 7-5.
The second set script was flipped. This time it was Pliskova who had the leads, going up 4-2 and, after Williams got the set back on serve, going up 4-2 in the ensuing tie-break.
The Czech even brought up a set point at 6-5 in the breaker, ripping an inside out forehand that barely missed the sideline. But like she's done so many times on the biggest stages all around the world, the No.1-seeded Williams lifted her game one last time to finally close out the No.3-seeded Pliskova, rifling back-to-back forehand winners - including a huge passing shot on match point - to finish her off, 7-5, 7-6(6). "Seven weeks here in Asia and now I feel like it's my home!
" Williams said afterwards. "I'm so excited to win the first trophy in Zhuhai. All the players felt so welcome here and we appreciated all of the enthusiasm.
To see every seat filled for every match, that's all the players and tournament hope for. "Also congratulations to Karolina. She deserved to win too - I was really lucky to win at the end."
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