Kerber ends Siegemund fairytale to defend Stuttgart title

STUTTGART, Germany: World number three Angelique Kerber beat qualifier Laura Siegemund 6-4 6-0 on Sunday to defend her Stuttgart Grand Prix title and end her opponent’s sensational run.

Siegemund, who had beaten top-10 players Agnieszka Radwanska, Roberta Vinci and Simona Halep in her previous rounds, raced to a 3-0 lead in the first set, frustrating the Australian Open champion with repeated drop shots.

Kerber, however, quickly reined in her fellow German, breaking the 28-year-old three times to clinch the first set 6-4.

Siegemund, the world number 71 who had never reached a WTA Tour final in her 10-year professional career, needed treatment for a back injury early in the second set.

She came back only to see Kerber inflict further damage with her trademark forehand down the line to go 5-0 up.

The left-handed Kerber then wrapped up the win when Siegemund sent a slice backhand into the net.

“It could not get any better here than today,” said Kerber. “In the first set, I needed to find my rhythm in the beginning. She played a great tournament and I am happy I could beat her today. It was special to win here again.”

After a demanding week, Siegemund felt her fitness was lacking in the second set. “At the moment I am disappointed,” she said. “I am completely empty today. I could have played better, but she did well. I reached my limits. At such a level, you need fitness and after seven matches I was missing that today,” she added.