German top-seed Angelique Kerber claimed her first title of 2013 with a 6-4, 7-6 (6) victory over Ana Ivanovic at the Linz Open in Austria on Sunday.
The World No 10, who sealed her spot at the WTA's season-ending championships in Istanbul later this month by virtue of reaching the semi-finals, broke her rival three times in the first set. She then survived two set-points in both the second set and resulting tie-break for the win.
"At the end it was pretty close," Kerber said in her post-match interview. "I am very happy to have won because Ana is an exceptional player.
"I focused on myself but I should have been calmer about taking my chances for winning the match.
Kerber shot to a 4-1 lead in the opening set before Ivanovic broke back twice to level matters.
One further break of serve was enough for 25-year-old Kerber to claim the first set.
World No 16 Ivanovic saved three match points when down 5-4 in the second set and had two chances to force the match into a third set before it went into a tie-breaker.
She then had a further two set points in the tie-breaker, but Kerber rattled off four straight points to claim her third career WTA title.
Image: Angelique Kerber
Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images