Simona Halep of Romania returns the ball to Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic during their women's singles tennis final match at the WTA Dubai Tennis Championships February 21, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

Halep, 23, is seven inches shorter than Pliskova, the six-footer with more aces than any other player this year, but the Romanian's pounding ground strokes ultimately proved decisive.

"She played very well - it's hard to explain how I feel, it's a big title for me," Halep said in a courtside interview.

"I knew she had a big serve (but) I believe I have a good return. I stayed focused on every point."

Such concentration did not prevent the French Open finalist from making early errors, with two double faults and a wayward forehand providing Pliskova with a first break point.