Germany’s Angelique Kerber beat Australia’s Ashleigh Barty in straight sets to win the Sydney International for her ninth consecutive win of the new season on Saturday.
The former world No.1 was too strong for Barty, winning the final 6-4, 6-4 to give her a massive confidence boost for next week’s Australian Open in Melbourne.
It was Kerber’s second win over the 19th-ranked Barty in three meetings.
Kerber, who began last year as No.1 before finishing at No.22, continued her 2018 resurgence and remains unbeaten this year.
