Potapova pays tribute to Halep: "She's always been one of my idols".

Anastasia Potapova won the WTA 250 tournament in Cluj-Napoca. The Russian, seeded No.1, rounded off a perfect week by defeating Lucia Bronzetti (4-6, 6-1, 6-2) for the fifth time in as many meetings.

This is the third career title for the new 31st-ranked player in the WTA rankings, and her first since Linz two years ago.

Invited to make a speech on court after winning, the 23-year-old paid tribute to Simona Halep, who played the last match of her career earlier in the week.

It was Bronzetti who eliminated her in the first round (6-1, 6-1). In front of the Romanian crowd, Potapova was full of praise for the former world number 1.

"Simona is one of the players who inspired me and whom I've always enjoyed watching play. She's always been one of my idols.

At the beginning of the week, all I wanted was to see her back where she belongs in the rankings. When I saw that she had decided to stop her career, I felt really sad.

But she's achieved so much and won so many titles that I can't even imagine, at least for now!

For me, she'll always be a great champion. I hope she enjoys her life after tennis. She richly deserves it," assured Potapova to the applause of the home crowd.