(AFP) - Former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka stormed to her second Brisbane International title when she downed Germany's Angelique Kerber in straight sets on Saturday.

Azarenka, who won her maiden WTA title in Brisbane in 2009, overwhelmed the fourth-seeded Kerber, winning 6-3, 6-1 in 73 minutes, her sixth win over the German in six meetings.

It was Azarenka's first title since she won in Cincinnati in August 2013.

She sustained a foot injury in 2014 and only played nine tournaments. In 2015, she suffered a thigh strain that saw her slip down the world rankings.

But she steadily improved in each round in Brisbane and showed in the final she will be a serious contender for the Australian Open.