Williams says Aussie Open loss is wake-up call

Williams remains one slam victory short of Graf’s Open Era record tally of 22.

Kerber’s upset three-set victory over Serena Williams on Saturday was followed by a Sunday morning plunge in the river near Rod Laver Arena.

Speaking to the press after her win, Kerber was understandably delighted, she was completely relaxed and really quite amusing. They will have been allayed as she got the game on the board. While seeded seventh, Kerber wasn’t in the forefront of title-winning discussions. She only landed 51 per cent of first serves as Doi took the initiative. Not that her feet understood the message as once more static legwork compared to Kerber scampering after everything in sight handed the German the break straight back. Kerber wrangled a 40-love lead after serving for the first set at 5-4, and Williams netted a forehand, rounding off the 40-minute set.

She can also expect a warm reception from her home country after she became the first German since her childhood idol Steffi Graf to clinch a grand slam, prompting congratulations from sportspeople and the country’s President Angela Merkel.

The question would be how would Kerber react to being ahead. She went with the percentages instead of quick fixes, earned her points by thinking clearly and coaxed Williams into errors instead of punching the panic button and trying to be a hero.

Kerber held but so did Williams, leaving it to the German to serve for the title at 5-3.

On set point, Williams continues to swing away.

Now Kerber looms as the 34-year-old’s biggest threat.

Four years on and Kerber is the first German grand slam champion since the great Steffi Graf in 1999 after a “crazy” ride to Open glory.

Kerber’s ripping passing shots were what made this final a real final, and to be honest it was about time the women’s game had one. Kerber took advantage of this, and held her nerve to serve out the first set. Serena seemed to be struggling with her return early on. “That’s something that I’ll never forget”, said Williams. I was really looking forward. Even being out there in the moment was pretty cool. She is like I said, making history. “That’s the thing we are always wondering: when you’re close to closing the match, how will you react, especially in your first grand slam final”, Mouratoglou said, then added simply. I’ve beaten her a lot.

“She played so well today”. “My whole life I am working really hard, and now I am here and call myself a Grand Slam champion”.

I was really hoping the ball was coming over the net because they were like really good. Her ambitions now? “To win some more”, she beamed.

I said before the match Kerber would have to play the match of her life to win – and she did. I try to. I do the best that I can. She kept hitting some great shots actually every time I came in.

The moment, of course, belongs to a maiden champion, who really enjoyed the moment, and rightly so. On match point Kerber fell onto her back, looking more happy than relieved. I mean, I think my phone is exploding right now. Just as she was too steady for the British No1 Johanna Konta in their semi-final, so she stuck rigidly to her game plan against the best player in the world. For sure I get the second chance here I think in this tournament. I know my practices are better.

“I knew I had to try to go out to beat her because she wouldn’t give it to me”, she told reporters.

On Monday she is expected to rise to a career-high number two on the WTA Tour rankings.