By Erik Gudris | Sunday, April 24, 2016
No. 2 seed Angelique Kerber successfully defended a title for the first time in her career with a straight sets win in Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final in Stuttgart.
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Sunday’s final featured two Germans - a first for the event’s history. Kerber faced off against the surprise finalist German qualifier Laura Siegemund who upset three seeded players including Agnieszka Radwanska, Simona Halep, and Roberta Vinci.
Siegemund, playing in her first WTA Tour final, had not dropped a set all week. Could she maintain her impressive form was the biggest question as play started.
Early on, it looked like Siegemund just might. With a potent forehand pass, Siegemund broke Kerber to take a 2-0 lead. Then, with an easy hold of serve, Siegemund moved ahead 3-0.
Siegemund confounded players all week using a clever mix of power, touch, and a willingness to finish points off up at net. But Kerber slowly started to figure out her opponent’s game. That included chasing down Siegemund’s drop shots and finishing them off with winner of her own.
Soon, Kerber broke back and pulled to within a game at 3-2.
Though Siegemund broke Kerber again for 4-2, that would be the last game the qualifier would win. At 30-all in the next game, Kerber won a close exchange up at net that gave her break point. Kerber converted later with yet another passing shot winner.
Kerber then held serve for 4-all. With Siegemund starting to hit more errors now, it allowed Kerber to break once again for a 5-4 lead.
Kerber served out the set 6-4 after Siegemund sent a forehand long while down set point.
Siegemund battled to hold serve in her opening service game of the second set. After over 10 minutes, Siegemund found herself facing a fourth break point against her. An ill-timed serve and volley attempt from Siegemund allowed Kerber to hit a passing shot winner for the break.
After Kerber went up 2-0, Siegemund took an off-court medical time out to deal with a left hip issue. When Siegemund returned, she tried to battle back into contention. But it was clear that her long week was finally catching up to her. Siegemund’s shot often sailed wide or lacked the power needed to disrupt Kerber.
Kerber raced ahead to a 5-0 lead and then served for the title. Kerber eventually closed it out with help from one final wayward Siegemund forehand.
With that, Kerber celebrated defending her title with a 6-4, 6-0 win.
Kerber hit 16 winners and just nine unforced errors. Siegemund, now projected to rise to No. 42 in the world next week, struck 22 winners and 29 unforced errors.
Stuttgart is the second title of the year for Kerber who also won the Australian Open back in January.