Pavlyuchenkova reigns in Monterrey

Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has continued her impressive start to the 2017 season, sweeping to her ninth career WTA singles title.

The No.2 seed upset world No.1 Angelique Kerber 6-4 2-6 6-1 in just under two hours in Monterrey.

.@NastiaPav captures FOURTH @Abierto_GNP title!

Downs World No.1 Kerber 6-4, 2-6, 6-1! pic.twitter.com/UMsTgQr2f9

— WTA (@WTA) April 9, 2017

It is the fourth time the 25-year-old Pavlyuchenkova has won the Monterrey title (adding to wins in 2010, 2011 and 2013), leading Kerber to concede: “It’s your tournament.”

"Some people just have 4 trophies in total, and I have 4 here! It's very special."

~@NastiaPav after winning @Abierto_GNP No.4 (d. Kerber).

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) April 9, 2017

Pavlyuchenkova, who reached the Australian Open and Indian Wells quarterfinals earlier this season, is now No.12 in the WTA’s Race to Singapore. Today’s result also marked her first career victory against a No.1-ranked player.

Meanwhile Kerber is still yet to win a title since ascending to world No.1 for the first time in September last year.