Tennis-Kerber ends Siegemund fairytale to defend Stuttgart title

STUTTGART, April 24 (Reuters) - 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. But I had a good week. I reached my limits. At such a level you need the fitness and after seven matches I was missing that today." (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Toby Davis)