Kerber beats Siegemund to retain Stuttgart Open crown

Angelique Kerber successfully defended a WTA title for the first time in her career as she lifted the Stuttgart Open on Sunday.

The Australian Open champion brushed aside German compatriot Laura Siegemund 6-4 6-0 to claim back-to-back triumphs, Kerber only needing 81 minutes to retain her crown.

Kerber's day looked to be going a very different way earlier as Siegemund took the opening three games, the world number 71 only dropping three points on the way.

However, the 28-year-old won one more game in the match as the world number three found her rhythm. Kerber rattled off 10 successive games to secure victory as Siegemund's confidence slowly ebbed away.

A medical time out early in the second set did not help Siegemund's momentum either, her serve particularly suffering as Kerber upped the aggression.

After breaking her opponent for a sixth time, Kerber coolly served out for the match as her preparations for the French Open gathered momentum.