The Briton was 35th behind Stockport training partner Payne at the World Championships in Rome last month.

However, the one-mile course at the Royal Victoria Dock obviously suited the 20-year-old who beat off a world-class field to triumph in 17min 39.74sec, more than three seconds ahead of Brazil's Poliana Okimato in second.

Olympic bronze medallist Cassie Patten, who failed to make the Britain's team for Rome, was third more than nine seconds behind Whitfield in 17:48.85.

Payne was one place back in fourth in 17:50.52 after a gruelling three weeks which has seen the 21-year-old claim the open water crown as well as taking on the individual medley over both 200 and 400 metres in Italy.

The men's race saw Germany's world 5km and 10km champion Tomas Lurz control proceedings throughout before repelling a late attack to pull away in the final metre and win in 16.24.62.

Dan Fogg of Britain was second, 1.5 seconds adrift, with David Davies, the Olympic silver medallist, in third in 16:29.29.

Lurz and Davies had been neck and neck for much of the race but when the former kicked, the Welshman - who did not compete in the open water in Rome - was unable to respond.

It was a commendable performance by Fogg, who was 17th in the open water at the World Championships last month.