Angelique Kerber produced a sensational upset to become the first German woman to win the Australian Open since Steffi Graf in 1994 as she stopped Serena Williams from equaling her compatriot’s Open Era record of 22 grand slams on Saturday.
Kerber’s nerveless performance saw her strike a mere 13 unforced errors in a two-hour eight-minute three set final to defeat the top-ranked Williams 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 and become the new world No2.
The German No7 seed was in tears as she realised she had just captured her maiden grand slam title, two weeks after she was facing a match point in the first round against Misaki Doi.
Kerber puts her hands to her cheeks when she hears the words: "she's the world No2"
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) January 30, 2016Kerber joked before the match that “us Germans should stick together” when she was asked if she would protect Graf’s 22 grand slams record.
She ended up doing it in stunning fashion.
“When I played here the first round I was match point down I was with one leg on the plane to Germany but now I’m here, I got a second chance, I take my chance to be here in the finals, to play against Serena, I’m honoured to play in this final, to win it, my dream has come true tonight,” said an emotional Kerber on court.
“My whole life I was working really hard and now I’m here and I can say I’m a grand slam champion so it sounds really crazy.”
She covered her face when she heard the words “new world No2” and congratulated Williams for being an “inspiration for so many people, so many young tennis player. You create like a history and you’re a champion, you’re an unbelievably great person so congrats for everything you did already.”
There was a dramatic prelude to the final as 2011 champion Kim Clijsters, followed by a legion of ball-kids, made her way through the grounds carrying the trophy to the tunnel in Rod Laver Arena before handing it over to Evonne Goolagong-Cawley who took it over to the court.
Williams started the final with four first serves and a love-hold but Kerber, a little shakier, was unnerved, hitting an ace and a service winner to make it 1-1.
The German hit a ridiculously-angled backhand cross-court winner from a defensive position for 15-30 in the next game and an error from Williams gave Kerber her first two break points of the match. A long backhand from the world No1 handed over the break.
Kerber consolidated for 3-1. Williams went down 0-30 in game five and screamed a couple of “come ons” when she pulled off two backhand winners in a row.
"If I couldn't win, I'm happy she did." Serena Williams on @AngeliqueKerber. Serena genuinely likes AK. Helps her to better digest defeat.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 30, 2016She was pushed to deuce but a cheeky drop shot helped her hold for 2-3.
A 10th unforced error from Williams was followed by a high-pitched scream from the top seed but the mistakes did not stop coming as she smashed an easy forehand drive in the net to miss a chance of getting a break point.
Kerber found herself on the run, retrieving balls left and right and she gave Williams her first break point of the match. The American blasted a forehand return winner and gave out a huge “come on” as she broke back for 3-all.
The errors off Williams’ racquet continued to spill and Kerber broke again and consolidated for 5-3.
Williams misses again on the fly and looks to her box in frustration, like she’s asking them to save her from her own mistakes.
Every one or two errors, Williams would pummel the ball into a corner then kneel to the ground not in celebration, but in fury, over the fact that she’s not able to hit shots like that back to back.
Kerber got triple set point on a netted forehand from Williams and the German No7 seed took the set as the ball clipped the net cord and landed on her opponent’s side.
Kerber only served at 45 per cent first serves but she only hit three unforced errors compared to Williams’ 23.
Williams got her first break of the final in the fourth game of the second set to go up 3-1 as she finally got her error-spree under control.
That break was all she needed and the world No1 took the second set on her first opportunity on a netted forehand from Kerber.
After a toilet break between sets, Kerber fiercely stepped back on court and got triple-break point with a sensational forehand passing shot coming off a Williams smash. The 28-year-old clenched her fist after sealing the break with a forehand winner to go up 2-0 in the decider.
But Williams got the break back immediately, eating up Kerber’s serves.
Williams netted a forehand to gift Kerber two break points – the German was 3/3 on break chances thus far. Kerber valiantly ran 68 metres to cover the court in the next point, forcing Wiliams to hit one extra ball after the other before surrendering and the American saved both break points.
Another Kerber passing shot gave her another break opportunity. Williams saved it but struck a double fault to face a fourth in that game.
A rare error from Kerber into the net saw the chance slip by.
#AngeliqueKerber played a great game and showed great character in get victory over #SerenaWilliams ? #AusOpen
— L Londell McMillan (@LondellMcMillan) January 30, 2016Two ice-cold drop shots from Kerber kept her fighting and the tireless German got a fifth break point on another Williams double fault.
This time, Williams sent a forehand long and Kerber got the break for 4-2 after an 11-minute game.
She followed it up with a love-hold leaving Williams to serve to stay in the championship.
A fan in the stands yelled out “great tennis” and he was not wrong.
A nervy Williams started with a double fault but hung in there to hold to 30 (Kerber was two points away from the title).
Williams got two break points after she lashed out a winner following a series of cross-court exchanges. She netted a return to lose the first one but won the second on a long ball from Kerber.
Serving to stay in the match for a second time, Williams trailed 0-30 but found her angles to momentarily survive.
Still Kerber attacked a second serve to get deuce and got her first championship point with some brilliant angled groundstrokes drawing the error from Williams.
She fell to the ground on a long volley from Williams and the American crossed over the net to give her a hearty hug.
“It was a great match, I’m glad you got the chance to witness some great tennis. Angie you did so well, you played so well this tournament, let me be the first to congratulate you, you deserve it. I hope you enjoy it,” said Williams, who was gunning for a seventh Australian Open crown.
