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Kerber's fourth career win will see her rise from her current
position of 16th in the world rankings after what overall had
been a disappointing season.
But the German looked to have her trademark defensive game back
in full effect and she was relentless against Keys in the
grueling battle.
Keys, who beat Kerber in the Eastbourne final last year, looked
nervous and out-of-sorts as she was broken three times in the
first set.
But the 20-year-old from Illinois battled back in the second,
breaking to win the set after a series of serves where Kerber
pushed her all the way.
Keys, confidence fully restored, then broke out to a 4-1 lead in
the third set, but Kerber won six of the next seven games,
breaking to go 6-5 up and then serving out to love to secure the
championship.
"I feel great. Madison is a great player and she played very
well today so I think both of us are champions," said the
27-year-old Kerber, who beat compatriot Andrea Petkovic in the
semi-final.
Kerber suffered early round exits to lower ranked players in
Indian Wells and Miami after a first round exit in the
Australian Open.
(Reporting by Simon Evans, editing by Gene Cherry)
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