World number one Angelique Kerber reached her first final of the season by defeating Carla Suarez Navarro in straight sets in the semi-finals of the Monterrey Open.

Kerber's previous best performance this year came in Dubai where she suffered a semi-final defeat to Elina Svitolina, and she now only has Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova between her and an 11th career WTA title after a 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 win over Suarez Navarro.

The German, who eliminated defending champion Heather Watson in the quarter-finals, let a two-break lead slip before failing to serve out the first set and finding herself 4-2 down in the tie-break.

However, Kerber managed to draw level before converting set point at the second attempt with a phenomenal cross-court forehand pass that caught her opponent flat-footed.

Energised by securing the opening set, the top seed raced into a 5-0 lead in the second and clinched victory when a downcast Suarez Navarro sent a wild backhand return into the stands.

Three-time champion Pavlyuchenkova made light work of Caroline Garcia to book her place in the final.

The Russian second seed completed a 6-2 6-4 victory in under 90 minutes.