The 34-year-old defeated 20-year-old Deeon Mladin, from Thirlmere, 6-1, 6-1 at District Park Tennis Club, capping a tournament at which she dropped only nine games.

The former WTA doubles specialist said it was experience that proved the difference against her younger opponents through the event.

‘‘I find they have a lot more power than me,’’ Musgrave said. ‘‘But I played probably a bit smarter, being more experienced. It was windy and that suited me down to the ground.

‘‘I had a plan how to play and, growing up in Newcastle, it’s always windy.

‘‘It helped me, I think.’’

The left-hander believed it was her first win at the event.

She played 16 years in a row at the Australian Open before retiring in 2008, meaning she was unable to compete in her home city event, which is always held at the same time.

She was a runner-up last year at Newcastle in her competitive singles comeback and hoped to return next year to defend her title. ‘‘It was a bit last-minute this year because I didn’t know whether I was going to the Australian Open or not,’’ she said. ‘‘It will depend on if I have a player playing down there. If I do, I’ll be coaching. ‘‘But if I’m home I would love to play again.’’

Musgrave backed up in the women’s doubles yesterday with Tamworth’s Emelyn Starr to defeat Britt Huxley and Stephanie Yamada 6-4, 6-1.

No.1 seed Brendan Moore, from Lismore, and big-serving No.2 seed Sam Groth, a former world No. 220, will meet in the men’s final today from 11am.