Simona Halep said she had been braced for a backlash from Serena Williams after the American avenged this week's heavy defeat by sweeping the Romanian off-court in the WTA Finals title match.
Retribution was brutal from the world No.1, who returned the favour after Halep's 6-0 6-2 win in group play by hammering her 6-3 6-0 on one of the sport's biggest stages on Sunday.
"She was more motivated and more focused maybe in this match, and she tried to hit the balls very strong," fourth-ranked Halep told reporters.
"I knew she will play better this match because she saw how I play, she saw what she has to do during the match. So she did really well today."
Halep, 23, stood to become the first player to beat Williams in the same week after Wednesday's shock result, the American's heaviest defeat since she was a title-less teenager in 1998.
But the French Open runner-up said she was nervous before Sunday's final and despite breaking twice in the first set, she could not find a way back once Williams charged ahead.
"I was a little bit nervous. I was tired a little bit and I couldn't make the step into the court to open the court to play more aggressive," Halep said.
"I gave everything today, and, you know, that was my level today. Wasn't my best day, but I'm still happy and I'm still enjoying this moment because it's a good moment for me."
Halep added that she never considered throwing her final group match by going down in straight sets to Ana Ivanovic, a result which would have eliminated Williams.
"I have no regrets, because I did my job on court against Ivanovic. I tried to win the match. I couldn't, but I never thought that I have to lose in two sets against Ivanovic," she said.
"That was the chance. She deserves to win the title. She's much better. So, yeah, it's okay. I have no regrets."
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