Top-seeded Simona Halep defeated US Open champion Flavia Pennetta 6-0, 6-3 to win the opening match of the WTA Finals on Sunday.
Halep, last year's finalist in Singapore, raced to a 6-0, 1-0 lead before Pennetta won a game.
"I feel that I can play my best tennis here," Halep said. "I can say that I didn't play my best today, but I played good tennis. I played solid. I was dominating the match."
The Romanian saved both break points she faced in the second set and broke Pennetta's serve four times. Pennetta, who only qualified for the WTA Finals last week, had beaten Halep the last time they played in the US Open semifinals.
"I didn't play the right game against her at the US Open," Halep said. "Here I was well-prepared and I knew how to play against her."
On Sunday, Pennetta was a step slower and Halep was on form from the minute she walked on court.
"She play I think really consistent," said Pennetta, making her WTA Finals debut.
Sharapova wins
SINGAPORE: Maria Sharapova won her first match since the Wimbledon quarterfinal in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory against Agnieszka Radwanska at the WTA Finals on Sunday.
Sharapova, looking rusty from the lack of match play, needed 2 hours, 47 minutes to finally nail down the win against Radwanska. She served for the match at 5-2 and dropped her serve. At 5-4, she double-faulted on her first match point, but won the match two points later when Radwanska netted a forehand.
This marked Sharapova's 13th career win in 15 matches played against Radwanska.