Venus Williams has clinched a 7-5 7-6 win over Karolina Pliskova to win the inaugural WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai.

The American looked the stronger of the two players from the start, opening up a 4-1 lead in the first set, before Pliskova fought back, taking three games in a row to get the set back on serve.

Williams, who was the top seed at the tournament, was able to break the Czech again soon after though, wrapping up the opening set.

It was Pliskova who made the better start to the second set, getting a break on the board early on to open up a 4-2 lead over the seven-time Grand Slam champion, but Williams responded, forcing a tie-breaker.

Pliskova had a set point in the breaker, but Williams saved it, before hitting back-to-back forehand winners to wrap up the victory.

The win will move Williams back into the top 10 in the WTA rankings for the first time in four years.