Kerber upsets Serena Williams to win Australian title

The three-set win on Rod Laver Arena saw Kerber become the first German since Steffi Graf in 1999 to claim a major as six-time champion Williams lost her first final at Melbourne Park.

The American world No. 1 has stepped up considerably since she was embarrassed by the Italian in three sets, fighting her way through with wins over Camila Giorgi 6-4, 7-5 during the first round, Su-Wei Hsieh 6-1, 6-2 during the second round, Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-1 during the third round and Margarita Gasparyan 6-2, 6-1 in the fourth.

Number 1 ranked Serena Williams will be aiming for her 22nd tennis Grand Slam win, while seventh ranked Angelique Kerber is hoping to win her very first.

Kerber sunk to her knees when Williams erred on a forehand volley long on match point and soon was in tears to end an evening that was marked by the latter’s plethora of unforced errors in the first set but turned into an absorbing two-hour affair.

The statistics do not look good for Angelique Kerber, the German world No 6 who is looking to outplay and outlast Serena Williams on court tonight in the women’s singles final of the Australian Open.

Germany’s Angelique Kerber kisses the trophy as Serena Williams of the U.S. claps after Kerber won their final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, today.

Kerber, who saved a match point in the first round against Misaki Doi, became the first woman to save a match point during the tournament before going on to win the title since Williams did it in 2003 in her semi-final against Kim Clijsters.

Williams also walked to Kerber’s side of the net after losing match point and gave her a long hug. She had a chance at the Calendar Grand Slam and to match Steffi Graf’s Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam titles.

‘I had one leg on the plane to Germany and now I’m here.

“I took my second chance to play the final against Serena”.

“It took me forever to get to 18”.

Kerber made 78% of her first serves compared to 69% for Williams who was found out at the net as Kerber used the inside ball as her get-out-of-jail free card.

Kerber prevailed in the tie-breaker, and has not lost a set since then. It’s her first time in a Grand Slam final.

Serena Williams is one of the world’s best known athletes, but she admits she spends a lot of time by herself, either at home or in hotel rooms.

Kerber will now rise to a career high world ranking of No 2 when the new rankings are released on Monday.

“Angie, congratulations”, the 34-year-old American, above left, said.

Victory against Kerber would draw Williams level with Graf’s Open-era best while taking her own tally of Melbourne triumphs to five.

The second was a different story, Serena breaking early this time and racing into a lead after picking up a break – though signs of trouble were still there as she double faulted at game point while leading 4-2, and was forced to work hard to wrap up the set. “I have won against her once, but here I must play the best I can”.