AB de Villiers has backtracked from his earlier interest in taking part in the Big Bash League for 2019-20, in the process casting a major cloud over how Cricket Australia will satisfy its broadcast partners in the search for marquee talent to sell the competition.

Last month, de Villiers' management had indicated to BBL clubs that the former South Africa captain was interested in playing in the competition, albeit for a limited stretch towards its concluding stages in late January and early February, following his commitments in the Bangladesh Premier League.

However, ESPNcricinfo has learned that de Villiers has now flagged to interested clubs his unwillingness to take part in the BBL, having realised the degree to which CA and the BBL were looking towards him as a panacea for the tournament's plateaued television ratings and match-by-match attendances, amid its rapid growth from eight games per team to 14 each - a full home-and-away schedule.

Up to this point, CA, the clubs, and the broadcasters - Fox Sports and Seven - had appeared set to put together a package deal worth as much as A$350,000 to land de Villiers for a segment of the tournament, though there was a level of disquiet about how such a deal could be struck without an equitable system being in place for all clubs to secure big names.

There is some suspicion among clubs that de Villiers may still return to the bargaining table in search of a better offer, given the obvious desire for his presence in Australia next summer. But, for the moment at least, his signature appears likely to remain elusive, in what is a significant setback for the league. As recently as last week, CA's head of events and leagues, Anthony Everard, had expressed hope that players of de Villiers' ilk would add sheen to the summer, particularly in light of the national team's absence for a large chunk of January to tour India.

"Something we've really been focusing on irrespective of the Australian team going to India, we're buoyed by some conversations that some of the clubs are having and it's been reported some of the big names potentially coming out," Everard had said on May 7. "The success of the BBL has always been predicated on a combination of marketable overseas players, some young up and coming stars and the foundation of the Australian domestic players."

Other players, notably Andre Russell, have attracted the interest of BBL clubs and would demand a similar asking price, leaving the ball in CA's court as to whether or not the governing body would offer similar assistance to secure his services.

"Cricket Australia is committed to a competition that meets fan demands. This includes supporting BBL clubs to create a competition that features international stars to complement strong local talent," acting Head of the BBL Abhi Arunachalam said. "The recent rule changes have been implemented so clubs have the best opportunity to recruit overseas players among a cluttered global calendar."

A gaggle of top-tier talent has drained away from the BBL in recent times, including overseas names such as Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Bravo, Eoin Morgan and Russell, while bankable Australian players such as Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson have exited the tournament over the past 12 months, in part due to its increased length and demands.

Both CA and the clubs had been open to the institution of a system whereby each club could nominate one marquee overseas player to be paid outside the present BBL salary cap, but the plan fell afoul of the Australian Cricketers' Association, which has countered that the length of the tournament is a bigger obstacle than overseas player places.

Instead, CA on Saturday announced it would allow clubs to sign up to six overseas players over the course of the BBL, provided only two were part of 18-member squads at any one time, and replacements were approved by the tournament's technical committee.

"At the conclusion of each season we take the time to review what's working well and where we can make positive changes to the game and the fan experience," Everard said. "We've considered feedback from our fans and worked with relevant stakeholders of the game to implement changes that will continue to improve the competition in 2019/20.

"The ACA, BBL clubs and our broadcast partners have been an integral part of that, leading to the introduction of each club being allowed to contract up to six overseas players in BBL|09. The maximum number of overseas players permitted in a club's squad will remain at two, but there is now increased flexibility to contract up to six players throughout the season and rotate them in and out as required.

"It's a fantastic result for the competition, with clubs given a better chance at securing international players on a short-term basis to fit into an increasingly competitive global cricketing calendar."

CA's preference for Australian players to be available for the pointy end of the BBL may provide some salve to the problem of raising the tournament's profile, after the likes of Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch added lustre to its closing stages in 2019. David Warner, who has not played in the BBL since 2013-14, remains a potential signing for one of the clubs.

Big Picture

West Indies have already sealed a spot in the tri-series final, while Bangladesh beat them in their previous face-off in the tournament. Ireland, the hosts, have lost two of their three matches, with one washed out, and if Bangladesh beat West Indies on Monday, the home side will be out of the running for a spot in the final. Ireland, therefore, will follow the goings-on in Malahide on Monday with interest, but the competing teams will have more at stake than just tournament standings - there is the World Cup looming, and Bangladesh and West Indies have a few areas they will want to improve on.

West Indies have blown hot and cold in this tri-series. Between beating Ireland convincingly in the first game and in a more closely fought encounter in the fourth, they lost handily to Bangladesh.

In the match against Bangladesh, Shai Hope followed his first-game century with another one. But he might have wanted to accelerate sooner than he did. West Indies also ended up making only 64 runs in the last ten overs, and their bowlers were blunted once Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar got off to a good start for Bangladesh.

However, they put that defeat behind them to complete their highest successful run chase in ODIs after Ireland had put up 327 for 5, with Sunil Ambris smashing 148. West Indies have had four centuries in the tournament so far, though one of the centurions - John Campbell - hasn't been seen in action since his first-match 179, sitting out with a sore back.

Bangladesh have had only one full game, and it resulted in an eight-wicket win with plenty to spare against West Indies. Tamim and Soumya put on 144 for the opening stand then before Shakib Al Hasan took control of the chase.

Bangladesh will also be quietly confident after seeing their bowling improve as the game progressed. Mashrafe Mortaza and Mohammad Saifuddin took crucial wickets, while Shakib and Mehidy Hasan gave them control in the middle overs. Mustafizur Rahman's form was a concern, but there is still enough time before the World Cup to address that problem.

Form guide

West Indies: WLWWL (Last five completed matches, most recent first)

Bangladesh: WLLLW

In the spotlight

Shannon Gabriel, playing his first ODI series in 18 months, has taken six wickets in three matches so far. The Bangladesh batsmen took 58 off his ten overs, but because of how much Gabriel dominated them in the Tests last year, they will certainly be wary of him.

There's always a question-mark hanging over Soumya Sarkar, but having made 73 in the previous West Indies game, the management will have greater confidence while picking him as Tamim's opening partner. Soumya, too, will be glad that the long tour of Ireland and England has started on the right note.

Team news

After a good win against Ireland, there might not be much reason to change the XI, but West Indies could perhaps consider bringing in Raymon Reifer, the 28-year old allrounder from Barbados, especially with Fabian Allen bowling only three overs in the previous game.

West Indies (probable): 1 Sunil Ambris, 2 Shai Hope (wk), 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Roston Chase, 5 Jonathan Carter, 6 Jason Holder (capt), 7 Fabian Allen, 8 Ashley Nurse, 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Sheldon Cottrell, 11 Shannon Gabriel

Their last game against Ireland was abandoned, and Bangladesh are likely to continue with the same line-up that beat West Indies by eight wickets.

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mohammad Mithun, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Mohamad Saifuddin, 9 Mehidy Hasan, 10 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 11 Mustafizur Rahman

Pitch and conditions

The fourth game of the tri-series, on Saturday, showed that the pitch was a batting beauty, with West Indies successfully chasing Ireland's 327 for 5. That promises a run-filled game this time too, although it is likely to be cloudy.

Stats and trivia

• Bangladesh have won four of their last five ODIs against West Indies.

• West Indies have had four individual centuries in an ODI series or tournament for the first time since the 2006 Champions Trophy.

• West Indies' 331 for 5 against Ireland in the previous game was their highest successful chase in an ODI.

It's time for IPL 2019's title bout. In the yellow corner, Chennai Super Kings. In the blue corner, Mumbai Indians. Who will deliver the knockout punch? Here's ESPNcricinfo's live updates and analysis. (If the blog does not load for you straightaway, please refresh your page)

Saturday's UFC 237 card in Rio de Janeiro did not go well for the country of Brazil -- until the championship main event.

Brazilian strawweight Jessica Andrade (20-6) claimed UFC's 115-pound title with a stunning knockout of Rose Namajunas at 2 minutes, 58 seconds of the second round.

The finish came when Andrade lifted Namajunas (9-4) into the air and slammed her on the back of her head. The bout was quickly waved off. Namajunas recovered and exited the cage unassisted.

Andrade, 27, scored just the fourth slam knockout in a title fight in UFC history and the first since Matt Hughes' dramatic slam of Carlos Newton at UFC 34.

It was a massive victory for Andrade, who was fighting in her native country. Earlier in the night, the Brazilian crowd watched several of its legends lose, including Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Silva's defeat was particularly demoralizing, as he suffered a knee injury in the opening round.

"I was certain of what I had to do in the second round," Andrade said. "I never did that move before in the UFC, the pile driver. That's what I do. It's my nickname."

Namajunas spoke to reporters at the postfight news conference, and her manager, Brian Butler, said she would not be transported to the hospital.

"She is clear-headed and being very gracious about the loss," he said.

After the loss, Namajunas expressed uncertainty about her future in MMA, saying, "Going into this one, I was like, 'This might be the last time I ever do this.' But we'll see. We'll take it one day at a time."

Asked if she meant she was contemplating retirement, Namajunas said, "I don't know. We'll see. I'm not gonna make no decisions right now. It's just hard to keep having fun with this."

Namajunas, of Denver, fought beautifully early on. She opened a cut near Andrade's left eye with a stiff right hand in the first minute of the bout and rocked her with a knee to the body later in the round. Namajunas' speed and footwork were the story of the first round, and it was obvious that Andrade would need to make adjustments.

A former 135-pound contender, Andrade did exactly that in the following frame. She relentlessly pressed forward on the feet, despite a healthy stream of counter-jabs by Namajunas.

Andrade is known for her power and physical wrestling, and it showed in the finish. She got into Namajunas' hips and lifted her entire body into the air for the slam.

After the bout, Andrade credited her coach, Gilliard Parana, and handed him the belt in the Octagon.

Andrade is now 7-1 since dropping to the strawweight division in 2013. Her only loss in that stretch was a five-round decision to former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who recently fought at 125 pounds but intends to return to 115.

Namajunas suffered her first loss since July 2016.

Asked about the possibility of an immediate rematch with Andrade, Namajunas again spoke in uncertain terms about her future.

"I definitely was whooping her butt. There's no doubt about that," she said. "It's just, I'll see if I'm still interested in this. I know I can beat her, but I don't know."

DENVER -- Nuggets coach Michael Malone dismissed the notion that a shoving match between Denver's Will Barton and Portland's Seth Curry in Game 6 might carry over into Game 7 on Sunday at Pepsi Center, especially after the Trail Blazers guard called the Nuggets "sassy."

"To me, that's weak," Malone said Saturday, addressing the fourth-quarter incident that led to technical fouls being called on four players. "If that's chippiness, I mean ... I grew up in a much different time in the NBA. If that's chippiness and you want to call it 'sassy,' go ahead. But to me, it's a joke."

Curry said Barton poked him in the eye Thursday as the two were being separated following some back-and-forth shoving. After the game, the Trail Blazers guard said the Nuggets "got a few sassy dudes over there," adding that they are "front-runners".

Curry took exception to Barton standing above Portland's Zach Collins, who had just fallen toward Barton's knees after an offensive foul on Denver's Nikola Jokic. Curry nudged Barton away and Barton shoved Curry. The two were separated before Barton pointed into Curry's face. Collins and Denver's Torrey Craig then got into it, and all four were assessed offsetting technical fouls.

"It's Will Barton protecting himself from a guy falling into his knees," said Malone, whose father was an assistant during the Detroit Pistons' "Bad Boys" days. "It's Seth Curry taking offense to it. They get into a little minor skirmish -- move on. Game 7 will be hard-fought. It will be emotional because of what's at stake. I don't think it's going to be a carry-over from what happened in last game. It's playoff basketball. It should be a hard-fought game. It should be physical. It should be teams protecting each other.

"Again, that's a different era when you think about my father when he was with the 'Bad Boys' and all that. That [incident in Game 6] was nothing in my opinion."

Denver forward Paul Millsap does expect emotions to be high in Game 7 with a spot in the Western Conference finals on the line.

"I expect it to be an all-out brawl," Millsap said. "They're fighting for their lives. We're fighting for our lives. I expected it to be pretty heated. Emotions will flare here and there. The team that's the most poised and the most calm is going to be the team that's victorious. Hopefully it's us."

NBA coaching hires typically fit into two categories of power profile: strong or weak.

There are also generally two kinds of general managers working in the league: those who make decisions aimed at keeping their jobs and those who are determined to do things their way, even if it comes with the risk of failure.

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka made it clear which type of executive he wants to be in hiring head coach Frank Vogel, who made it clear where he falls on the coaching power spectrum.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Pelinka got Vogel to take a three-year deal, and Vogel agreed to take on Jason Kidd as lead assistant coach. In the wake of Magic Johnson's exit from the team, this move establishes Pelinka as a powerful voice in the Lakers' organization. How long he'll keep that spot will perhaps be shaped by this choice. Vogel wanted the Lakers' job more than he wanted the power. Ty Lue, who rejected Pelinka's terms earlier this week, valued control more than he wanted this gig.

This very well could be a sliding doors moment. There are big names, a big job and a legacy franchise involved. This result could go any direction. It could be the basis of a turnaround. It could be a disaster. Lue's passing on the job could end up being prudent. Or it could end up being a mistake.

Let's get four things out of the way here:

• Anyone who erroneously believed LeBron James was influencing the coach hire can drop that notion.

• Pelinka's process has put Vogel in a challenging position.

• Vogel has excelled in a challenging position before.

• Until we see how the lottery and NBA draft play out -- and then see what the Lakers do with their $35 million in salary-cap space -- it's hard to know how strongly the Lakers will enter next season.

The coaching hire was a huge step for Pelinka. No matter how it might be spun, Vogel was at least the third choice. But retrofitting the roster around James is far and away Pelinka's bigger job this offseason. James can work with various coaches. What he really wants is to have a winning team constructed.

This wasn't the cleanest process, and it didn't exactly inspire confidence. Vogel has allies in the league, but he is not a classic free-agent draw. For Pelinka to give Vogel any chance, he's going to need major lottery luck or a much more executable plan for free agency than he had for the coaching hire.

The history of coaches with powerful assistants succeeding is spotty. For example, this is similar to the position in which the Cleveland Cavaliers put David Blatt in 2014.

The Cavs made Blatt, a coach with success on his résumé but limited power because he didn't have NBA experience, take Lue as his lead assistant. Lue had interviewed for the Cavs' job. The team liked him and wanted to pair the two together. There were some other dynamics also at play, including ownership and the front office disagreeing on the hire.

Blatt didn't walk in with James' respect. James felt more of a connection to the former player who sat next to Blatt. Within weeks, it was clear James preferred to deal with Lue over Blatt, and it set the stage for Lue to eventually replace Blatt.

Vogel has a real track record as a head coach in the NBA, especially his five seasons as head coach of the Indiana Pacers. Nonetheless, James and his Miami Heat team repeatedly beat Indiana in the playoffs. Although Vogel and the Pacers played James and the Heat tough, Miami never really feared them. In Orlando, Vogel had a disappointing and forgettable two years and was fired.

Vogel will come into the season with Kidd, one of the runners-up for the job, on his hip. James has long respected Kidd, and they won a gold medal together at the 2008 Olympics. Kidd was a veteran presence on the "Redeem Team" that year, and that experience largely shaped James as he was learning to be a leader. He won his first Most Valuable Player Award the next season.

Regardless of how James feels about his head coach, there is no way his respect for Vogel will match the level of his respect for Kidd -- at least not right away. How could it? James will naturally be connected to Kidd because of their relationship and Kidd's success in the league playing both against and with James.

But Vogel has been here before. He was in as weak of a position as any coach when he was named a midseason interim in Indiana in 2011. Few believed Vogel was more than a substitute teacher put in place to finish that season.

But he took over for Jim O'Brien and stunned the league with his confidence and leadership. His ability to corral and inspire a headstrong group of players that included David West, Paul George, Roy Hibbert and George Hill was commendable. When the Pacers let him go, he was hired by the Magic within days.

There is no question that Vogel can impress in an interview. He's one of the refugees of the video room, where great coaches such as Erik Spoelstra and Mike Budenholzer started their careers, and that has earned him a reputation for being a good tactician.

But being a success in this job would probably be the greatest accomplishment of his career.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The New York Yankees were frustrated by their play, and by slugger Luke Voit getting hit yet again.

Willy Adames and Ji-Man Choi had run-scoring infield singles in the sixth after tempers flared during the top of the inning when reliever Yonny Chirinos hit Voit on the left shoulder, and the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees on 7-2 Saturday night.

Yandy Diaz homered twice and drove in four runs for the Rays, who reopened a 1½-game lead over the Yankees.

Voit was hit by Chirinos (5-1) one batter after DJ LeMahieu's tying solo homer.

"It's frustrating," said Voit, who didn't speculate on whether he was thrown at intentionally. "He can hit me anywhere else. This one is up and in. It's a situation that can be career-ending. He's a sinkerballer. and that was pretty straight."

Although there were no on-field incidents after Voit was hit, Yankees starter CC Sabathia went to the top of the Yankees dugout and yelled toward Tampa Bay players.

In his final start last season, Sabathia was ejected at Tropicana Field and given a five-game suspension for hitting Jesus Sucre with a pitch after Rays pitcher Andrew Kittredge threw a pitch behind Austin Romine.

"It's just the same thing, you hit a home run and then they throw up and in," Sabathia said. "It's stupid."

Voit has been hit five times; only Kansas City's Alex Gordon with eight has more among AL players.

Jonathan Holder (2-1) was warming up in the Yankees bullpen during the top of the sixth preparing to come in for Sabathia, who gave up two runs, three hits and four walks in five innings.

Avisail Garcia greeted Holder with a single and advanced to third on a stolen base and a throwing error by Gary Sanchez, whose seven errors are the most among big league catchers. LeMahieu, a Gold Glove infielder, could not get his glove down to receive the throw.

"I should have had Gary's ball," LeMahieu said.

Guillermo Heredia walked, and Garcia scored on Adames' single to LeMahieu, who was shifted and gloved the ball on the shortstop side of second base. LeMahieu made a sliding backhand stop on the outfield grass, but the ball popped into the air as he tried to throw. The left-handed-hitting Choi followed with a bouncer to LeMahieu in short right field and beat the second baseman's one-hop throw. Heredia kept running and scored from second on the hit as the ball bounced away from Voit at first.

Sanchez was hit hard on his catching helmet by Heredia's backswing in the eighth. Sanchez stayed in the game and underwent postgame tests.

"Feel good right now," Sanchez said through an interpreter. "Got to wait and see how I feel tomorrow."

With the Yankees' bullpen short after being used extensively the previous two days, manager Aaron Boone brought in Nestor Cortes Jr. in the seventh, the 36th player and 17th pitcher used by New York this season. The 24-year-old left-hander gave up a three-run homer to Diaz in the eighth.

Cortes was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after the game, an indication right-hander Chad Green could be recalled after three appearances for the International League club to regain his mechanics.

Garcia homered in the second and Diaz added a third-inning shot off Sabathia, who has allowed eight homers over 30⅓ innings in six starts.

Diaz has nine homers. In parts of two previous seasons, he went deep one time.

"I've actually surprised myself," Diaz said through an interpreter. "I've never had those numbers in the past, but I'm swinging hard and I've been getting good results."

Clint Frazier hit an RBI double in the fifth, when Mike Tauchman into an inning-ending double play with runners at the corners.

DOUBLE CATCH

Tommy Pham made two catches on one play in the fourth inning. The Rays left fielder caught Brett Gardner's fly ball and then used his bare hand soon after to grab a contact lens that popped out. Pham, who went 0-for-4, was on the field postgame hitting balls at home plate off a tee.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Yankees: Center fielder Aaron Hicks (back strain), expected back Monday, went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a homer for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. ... Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (strained left calf) is scheduled to resume hitting and defensive drills during the upcoming week. ... Designated hitter/outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (left biceps/shoulder) is doing limited baseball activities. ... Sanchez was hit by Heredia's backswing in the eighth.

Rays: Right-hander Tyler Glasnow (6-1), who left his start Friday night in the sixth inning, is expected to miss four to six weeks with a right forearm strain. Glasnow will not throw for seven to 10 days.

UP NEXT

Yankees RHP: Masahiro Tanaka (2-3) will start Sunday's series finale against Rays LHP Blake Snell (3-3).

SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants pitcher Derek Holland has criticized San Francisco's front office and says he faked an injury that led to a recent stint on the injured list.

Holland was demoted to the bullpen following a 5-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night then said he has "no idea what they're doing" in the front office.

The veteran left-hander gave up seven runs in 2⅔ innings Thursday during a 12-11 loss to Colorado, his first outing after going on the IL because of a left index finger bone bruise.

Holland said he "did a fake injury" and that he's "not happy about that." He specified that his frustration is with the front office and not manager Bruce Bochy. He said "they keep changing a lot of the things'' and "at the end of the day, I'm going to do whatever they ask me to do."

Farhan Zaidi, the team's president of baseball operations, told the San Francisco Chronicle later Saturday that the injury was legitimate.

"His use of the word 'fake' probably comes from him feeling he could continue to pitch with it," Zaidi said.

CHICAGO -- Everyone loves a redemption story, and the Chicago Cubs have two of them going on right now. Both showed up Saturday, with catcher Willson Contreras hitting a 15th-inning walk-off home run against the Milwaukee Brewers to make a winner out of formerly much-maligned pitcher Tyler Chatwood.

Let's start with the right-hander, who came out of the bullpen to pitch four innings, keeping the Brewers off the scoreboard from the 12th through the 15th. Chatwood led the majors in walks last year, with 95 in 103 innings. The Cubs banished him to the pen, where he has reemerged and thrived this season. His walk percentage has gone from a whopping 20 percent to under 15, as he has been filling up the zone with some nastiness.

"Last year I knew I didn't lose my stuff," Chatwood said after the Cubs' 2-1 win Saturday. "I didn't have a good year, but my stuff was still there. I had some of the best stuff but wasn't able to throw it over the plate."

It's true. Chatwood can spin the ball with the best of them while firing up a 97 mph fastball. Finally, that has come into play for him in a Cubs uniform, and the team is reaping the unexpected rewards.

The same can be said of Willson Contreras, who hit just 10 home runs last season. Guess what? Saturday's walk-off long ball was already his 10th of 2019.

Where Chatwood has done a good job of making a bad number get smaller, Contreras is doing the opposite, making a small number get really big. His home run rate has jumped from 1.8 percent to more than 7 percent.

"To be honest, I didn't think about having a great start like this one," Contreras said. "I did put my focus and work into [a better] mindset. That took me out of my game plan last year. I put a lot of pressure on myself to match the homers or RBIs from the year before. It didn't work out, but I was glad I was able to fail that way and learn from it."

Entering the season, both Contreras and Chatwood were considered X factors on the Cubs' roster. Fans had some faith that the catcher could return to form, but there was little hope for Chatwood. He worked hard in the winter to turn his career back around.

"I'm seeing the benefits," Chatwood said. "I just have to keep going."

The same can be said for the Cubs, who snapped Milwaukee's seven-game win streak on Saturday. The NL Central race is so tight that no team can afford a tilted season series against one opponent. The Brewers had been trending in the right direction against the Cubs, winning three of four games to begin this season after taking the division title in Game 163 last year. If Saturday is a good indication, though, the final 14 games between these two teams should be plenty of fun.

On this day, the guy who had to crouch for 15 innings said, "Enough is enough." Through a drizzling rain -- and to the delight of his starting pitcher on the day -- Contreras continued to make his comeback tour epic.

"I know the type of power that he has and the threat that he is," Cole Hamels said, still cold from a long, freezing spring day. "We were all talking about. I don't think he wanted to go out there for a 16th inning."

Romania's Simona Halep missed out on regaining the world number one ranking as she lost the Madrid Open final to Kiki Bertens.

A win would have seen Halep overtake world number one Naomi Osaka but she lost 6-4 6-4.

The title is the biggest of Bertens' career and she will climb to fourth in the rankings on Monday, making her the highest-ranked Dutchwoman in history.

She also becomes the first woman to win in Madrid without dropping a set.

Halep is the fourth Grand Slam champion Bertens has beaten during the tournament and will now been seen as one of the favourites for the French Open, which begins in two weeks.

Both players struggled to hold serve with eight breaks across the two sets - three to Halep and five to Bertens - but the Dutchwoman was the more dominant.

Last year's runner-up hit 25 winners and four aces with her forehand in particular causing problems.