Angelique Kerber beats Ashleigh Barty to win Sydney title

Angelique Kerber holds the winner's trophy in Sydney on Saturday. PIC/AFP

Germany's Angelique Kerber beat Australia's Ashleigh Barty in straight sets to win the Sydney International for her ninth consecutive win on Saturday ahead of next week's Australian Open. 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 the year's opening Grand Slam in Melbourne.

Meanwhile, Russian qualifier Daniil Medvedev fought off tigerish Australian youngster Alex de Minaur to win his first ATP Tour title at the Sydney International. Medvedev completed a all-conquering week to hit back from losing the opening set to extinguish de Minaur, 1-6, 6-4, 7-5. Elsewhere, Belgian Elise Mertens defended her Hobart International title with a rain-interrupted win over first-time WTA finalist Mihaela Buzarnescu. Mertens downed Romania's Buzarnescu, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.

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