Lisa Raymond successfully defended her Kroger St Jude title in Memphis with a straightforward victory over Amanda Coetzer.

Raymond, the second seed, cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 win over the third-seeded Coetzer of South Africa in Saturday's women's final.

Raymond beat Coetzer for only the fourth time in 13 encounters, earning US$27,000 (£17,000) for her fourth career title.

"I knew playing Amanda I had to be very focused," Raymond said. "We've played so many times and it's gone back-and-forth. I knew I had to be so focused to play her. I came out firing from the beginning and I tried hard not to give her any chances to do anything."

The 29-year-old Raymond became the second player on the WTA Tour to successfully defend a title this season.

Venus Williams also did it last week in Antwerp.

"I just love coming here, the crowd is great, the tournament organisers are great," Raymond said. "When you feel really comfortable being somewhere, you just play better. I'll definitely be back here next year and try to make it three in a row."

Playing in her first final in nearly two years, Coetzer came up short in a bid for her ninth career title and first since Acapulco in 2001.

"I've played her so many times and today is the best I've ever seen her play," the diminutive South African said. "She was swinging so freely and put me under pressure the whole match. I had a couple of opportunities to stay close with her and I thought then she might tighten up, but I didn't make them."