Serena Williams captured a record-extending sixth Australian Open crown with a 6-3, 7-6 (5) victory over world No2 Maria Sharapova in Melbourne on Saturday.
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Williams took sole possession of the second spot of the Open Era list of grand slam winners by registering her 19th major, and now trails leader Steffi Graf by just three slam titles.
Game, set, match @serenawilliams 6-3 7-6(5) for her SIXTH #ausopen & 19th GS title. Remarkable achievement. pic.twitter.com/Qa0oG9vL9M
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2015
Sharapova was trying to end a 15-match losing streak to the world No1 and bidding to win a sixth major and second Australian Open trophy.
Williams had been struggling with a case of the flu and has been coughing badly all week. She was trying to lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for the first time since 2010.
“I prayed not to win, but to be strong,” she said on-court after the win.
“Growing up I wasn’t the richest but I had a rich family in spirit and support. Standing here with 19 championships is something I never thought would happen. I went on the court with just a ball, a racquet and a hope. You just never give up, you never know who you can inspire and who you can influence.”
The start was always going to be crucial for Sharapova and the Russian did not get off to the best one, double-faulting to get broken after a six-minute opening game and Williams was soon 2-0 up.
Plays was halted with Williams serving at 30-30 in the sixth game due to heavy rain and it took 12 minutes to shut the Rod Laver Arena roof.
The world No1 went off the court during that break and was coughing heavily on her way back to the court. But neither the interruption nor the cough seemed to disturb Williams, who sprung an ace and a forehand winner to hold for 4-2 when play resumed.
Sharapova had a sloppy service game, double-faulting to go down 0-40 and a long backhand saw Williams register a second break of serve.
But the top seed gifted back the break with a series of errors to go down 0-40. Williams saved the first two with big serves, but a double fault kept Sharapova alive in the set.
It only delayed the inevitable though as Williams played some great defence to get her hands on three set points on Sharapova’s serve.
Big congratulations to my big sis @serenawilliams on #19! Such an inspiration! #champ
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) January 31, 2015
The American grabbed the opening set on her first chance, benefitting from a net cord before firing a crosscourt backhand winner for the lead and giving out a huge “come on” as she walked to her bench.
Sharapova could only muster three winners in that opening set.
The Russian could have fallen behind early in the second, but brought out three huge serves to save a couple of break points and hold for 1-1. The world No2 got out of another tough situation when Williams sent an erratic backhand wide to allow her to hold for 3-all.
Williams received a hindrance call the next game, and Sharapova blasted a forehand winner for break point but the 33-year-old was unfazed and held serve.
Sharapova brought out her boldest move while facing championship point in gave 10, unleashing a massive forehand winner which Williams couldn’t help but applaud. And the No2 seed held her nerve to hold for 5-all.
The set went to a tiebreak and Sharapova took the first point with a great return but Williams raced to grab the next four points. Three loose errors from the top seed allowed Sharapova back in the breaker, and the Russian had two serves at 4-5.
But a return winner from Williams gave her a second championship point at 6-4. A brave second serve saw Sharapova save it. Williams hit an ace on her third chance to take the title, but it was called let.
She sent out another ace – her 18th of the match – in the exact same spot though to seal her victory – her 16th consecutive win over Sharapova. The leaping celebration said it all.
Serena celebrating with her team immediately after claiming title 19. #ausopen https://t.co/ARGbeDpZNr
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 31, 2015
“I gotta congratulate Serena on creating history, playing some of her best tennis. It’s really an honour playing against her,” said Sharapova. “I haven’t beaten her in a long time but I love playing her. She’s the best and I want to congratulate her on an incredible achievement.
“It’s been a long couple of weeks for me. I was almost down and out in the second round. I feel like I gave myself a second life in this tournament, and gave myself an opportunity.
