Heather Watson has become the first British woman in 30 years to boast dual WTA titles with a straight-sets win in the final of the Hobart International.
The 22-year-old right-hander on Saturday beat American qualifier Madison Brengle 6-3 6-4, meaning the top-ranked Briton hasn’t dropped a set during her singles campaign in Hobart.
Players traded breaks early in the first set with wind gusts impacting the strength of serves.
But Watson’s powerful baseline play saw her prevail in the 89-minute match.
The one-time Japan Open winner can now add a Hobart title to her collection and is the first British woman with two WTA trophies since Anne Hobbs, who won at Auckland in 1985 and Indianapolis in 1983.
Watson goes on to the Australian Open where she meets Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova in the first round.
In the Hobart doubles final Romanian Monica Niculescu was unable to retain the title as she and Russian partner Vitalia Diatchenko were beaten by Kiki Bertens and Johanna Larsson 7-5 6-3.
Niculescu meets top-seed Australian Samantha Stosur at Melbourne Park next week.