Safarova beats Azarenka to win the Qatar Open

Lucie Safarova beat Victoria Azarenka in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3 to clinch the Qatar Open on Saturday.

It was her sixth career title and first since Qubec City in 2013.

''It's an amazing feeling. I'm so happy to win the title. It's been a long time. I'm happy at the way season has progressed,'' said Safarova.

The Czech snapped wild card Azarenka's 14-match winning streak in Doha and also foiled the Belarusian's attempt to clinch a record third Qatar Open title.

Contesting their first final of the season, Safarova broke Azarenka in the very first game and asserted her supremacy gradually.

Having lost all her six previous encounters to Azarenka, Safarova raised her game to a new level, in the match which lasted one hour and twenty six minutes.