GUANGZHOU: Australia`s Jarmila Groth on Sunday claimed her first WTA title with an easy 6-1, 6-4 victory over Russia`s Alla Kudryavtseva at the Guangzhou Open in southern China.

The 23-year-old Groth powered 11 aces past Kudryavtseva to notch the win and take home the 37,000-dollar winner`s cheque. She also avenged a loss to the Russian in their previous meeting at Indian Wells in 2008.

The Australian -- who was the tournament`s top seed -- easily lived up to her billing, breezing through the draw without dropping a set and surrendering just five games or less per match.

She broke Kudryavtseva`s serve five times en route to the title. The 22-year-old Russian was making her first career appearance in a WTA final.

Groth, a native of Slovakia who took Australian citizenship last year after marrying ATP player Sam Groth, is currently the world number 55 and is projected to crack the WTA`s top 50 when the new rankings are published Monday.

Groth is having her best season since joining the tour in 2005, with round of 16 appearances at both the French Open and Wimbledon.

At the US Open, the Australian fell in the first round to three-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova, letting a golden opportunity slip away after claiming the first set from the Russian, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2006.

BDST: 1414HRS, September 19, 2010