Angelique Kerber stuns Serena Williams to win Australian Open 2016 final

Kerber, playing in her first major singles final, broke Williams twice in the first set but a single break of serve from Williams in the second was enough for the 34-year-old to level the match. She is now the first woman to win a Grand Slam title after being in that situation.

Kerber denied Williams her record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title in claiming her first.

The German has dropped just one set all tournament, coming in the first round when she defeated Misaki Doi 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 before progressing to defeat Alexandra Dulgheru 6-2, 6-4 in straight sets during the second round, Madison Brengle 6-1, 6-3 in the third and in the fourth round compatriot Annika Beck 6-4, 6-0.

With the crowd routing for the underdog in Melbourne final, Serena fought her way back in the championship match to take the second set 6-3.

It was instead an all-too-human display by Williams in an opening set laden with 23 unforced errors – 20 more than her opponent.

Williams was expected to complete a calendar grand slam in Flushing Meadows before her surprise defeat to Roberta Vinci and the weight of history could weigh heavy again this weekend.

Serena did well to keep the German on her toes in the crucial game of the third set but it was another unforced error which cost her the title.

Meanwhile, Kerber faces a daunting task of dethroning Williams as the Australian Open champion.

“She is still in shape and she is hitting very hard, and moving still like she was moving a few years ago”, said Kerber, who has been in the Top 10 for four years but until this week had never advanced past a Grand Slam semifinal. “I think Serena’s really a champion”. I think the mentality we’ve got and the chemistry we seem to have struck up these last couple of weeks will bode well for us.

There were no early nerves for Kerber, who found her range immediately against her wayward opponent.

It has been an impressive response from a player who arrived with doubts surrounding her fitness and focus after her shock semi-final exit at last year’s US Open.

It continued into a marathon sixth game, which featured two double faults from Williams and as many Kerber drop shots in over 11 minutes.

Serena Williams has stalled on Grand Slam title No. 22 but she will be back.

“First of all, I would like to say congratulations to Serena”, the German said.

The 17-year-old Anderson was the fifth Australian in the last decade to win the junior title, joining the likes of Nick Kyrgios (2013) and Bernard Tomic (2008) as champion.

“I was waiting [for] when she went”, Kerber said. “I try to win every single time I step out there, every single point, but realistically I can’t do it”.

“I was really inspired by that”.

“She told me, ‘Congrats, ‘ and she is happy for me, and good luck in the finals”.

“You are really an inspiration for so many people, so many young tennis players”, Kerber said, paying tribute to Williams in her victory speech.