Kerber outlasts Pliskova to win WTA Stanford title

Germany's Angelique Kerber claimed her fourth title of 2015 by outlasting rising star Karolina Pliskova in a three-set marathon final at the WTA Tour's Stanford tournament.

Kerber, who was seeded fifth, on Sunday needed two hours and seven minutes to post a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Czech Pliskova who ended the match on a forehand error.

"We always have tough battles when we play each other," Kerber said of facing Pliskova.

Kerber hammered 27 winners and made just 14 unforced errors as she was able to overcome the more powerful and much taller (1.86 metre) Pliskova.

Kerber now has four WTA Tour titles this season with one each on red clay, green clay, hardcourt and grass. That ties her with American Serena Williams for the most wins in 2015.

Pliskova, who made 52 unforced errors against Kerber, will break into the top 10 for the first time when the new rankings come out in the next few days.

Pliskova joked afterwards about losing her second career final to Kerber.

"I actually just told her that I don't want to play her anymore in finals. She's 2-0 against me in finals now, so hopefully next time I can play against somebody else," she said.
Source: AFP