This is a new event.
Final :
Ashleigh Barty (1) (Australia) v Garbiñe Muguruza (6) (Spain)
Barty led the head to head 2-1, including the last time they met in Doha, February 2020.
Muguruza broke first in the third game of set one, and saved two break points to consolidate.
However, Barty broke back in the sixth game to level things.
Muguruza broke the Australian serve in game nine, but failed to serve out the set, and a tie break was eventually required.
The Spaniard lost points on each of her first three serves, leaving Barty ahead 5-1.
At 6-2, Barty had four set points - one was saved but that was all and the top seed claimed the set 7-6(3).
Barty broke the Spanish serve in the opening game of set two, which had six deuces and saw four game points go astray. Barty then served a love game for 2-0.
The world number one had another break opportunity in game three, but Muguruza saved it and was on the scoreboard.
Against the flow, Muguruza broke back and then leveled at 4-4.
But Barty had the answers, as she had for the whole match, and cleaned up the final two games to clinch the title 7-6(3) 6-4.
Both players have reason for confidence going into the Australian Open. They have played the best tennis of any women in the lead up.
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