Heather Watson defeated in straight sets by Rebecca Peterson in Tianjin Open final

The Brit broke serve early on in both sets but was unable to fend off the power of her opponent

Britain's Heather Watson was beaten in the Tianjin Open final as Rebecca Peterson won her second WTA title.

The Swede, who opened her account by winning last month's Nanchang Open, recovered from an early break in each set to win 6-4 6-4 in an hour and 38 minutes.

Watson broke serve in the second game but was immediately pegged back by the world number 59, leaving the match effectively on serve after three games lasting almost 22 minutes.

Some powerful hitting helped Peterson take the set, breaking Watson in game nine before closing it out 6-4 in just under an hour with a fine forehand winner.

Watson responded and began the second set in the same fashion as the first, with a break in game two - but once again she immediately squandered the lead, this time after a double fault to set up break point.

She was broken again in her next service game to trail 3-2, which became 5-3 to leave Watson serving to stay in the match.

She did so, forcing Peterson to serve it out, but a comfortable hold to 15 completed a straight-sets win.

PA