Iga Swiatek re-established order on the WTA as the recent No. 1 ended the win streak of Coco Gauff at 16 straight with a 6-2, 6-3 result to reach the final of the Beijing event.
The Pole brought the American teenager back down to earth after Gauff had won titles in Cincinnati and the US Open in recent months.
It took just 75 minutes for Swiatek to reach the title match, where she won her eighth match against nine played against Gauff, 19.
The American had not lost since mid-August.
“I’m really happy with my performance,” Swiatek said. “It feels like I can play freely again, so I’m really happy.
“It’s been a while since I felt that way. So I’ll remember for the rest of my career that even though tougher times may come, in your mind, you can always overcome that.
“And with hard work, you can achieve it.”
Swiatek said that after a brief tennis pause after losing early at the US Open, she has undergone a re-set.
“I’m happy I switched my attitude after the US Open, and hopefully I’ll be able to keep it for as long as possible.”
Swiatek had won her first seven meetings with Gauff before the teenager beat her in the Cincinnati semi-finals.
Swiatek claimed the opening set with just four unforced errors and finished off victory with 17 winners and six unforced while Gauff ended with 12 and 15 respectively.
