Anna Smashnova claimed her third WTA title when she beat Russia's Tatiana Panova in the final of ASB Bank Classic in New Zealand.

The Israeli defeated the fifth seed in straight sets, 6-2 6-2, after knocking out Anna Kournikova in the semi-finals.

Smashnova coped with the windy conditions much better than Panova and broke the Russian's serve twice in each set.

Smashnova has undergone a tough fitness programme to boost her chances in the Australian Open and was delighted to win the tournament.

But she admitted: "I had to work very hard to win. Tatiana gave me nothing and I had to fight for every point.

"It's a different feeling to winning my other titles, but it's good to win, whether it's your second, third or fourth."

Panova said: "My concentration was not good. The mind is more important in tennis."