Dhaka, Sept. 23 -- The Romanian, who even shook off a hard fall in the second game, was at her aggressive and disciplined best while Pliskova looked sluggish with her on-court movement, failing to hit a single winner as she was bageled in 20 minutes.

Second-ranked Pliskova received treatment on her lower back and leg after Halep won the opening set.

The limited number of fans allowed into Foro Italico's centre court urged Pliskova to make it a contest, applauding the rare points she got on the scoreboard, and it seemed to work as the second set started with the pair breaking each other.

However, Pliskova was clearly struggling with an injury and the Czech opted to retire to give Halep her first title in Rome.

"I know that's not the wa...