Kerber stuns Williams at Australian Open

A shock semi-final loser to Roberta Vinci, with a calendar-year grand slam within sight at the US Open, Williams again stumbled trying to match Graf’s open-era record 22 singles majors.

Her win, however, prevents Williams from levelling the women’s Open-era record for grand slam titles won, which still belongs to Steffi Graf, Kerber’s compatriot and mentor.

She clawed her way deep into a third set in the Australian Open women’s final against seventh-seeded Angelique Kerber.

The pair held serve in the opening two games of the second set before Williams began to get her timing back and made less errors as she raced out to a 4-1 lead, though the concerned look she shot her supporters in the players’ box suggested she had been battling to work the German out.

She became the first German to clinch a major since Graf won the last of her slams at Roland Garros in 1999 with a 6-4 3-6 6-4 success on Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

That smile disappeared, however, as Kerber than wrapped up the break.

Williams fended off four break points – the first following a 19-shot rally – but she could not save a fifth as Kerber claimed the crucial break before taking a 5-2 lead.

Williams, who walked around the net and embraced Kerber at the end of the match, praised the seventh seed for her top quality performance.

Graf messaged Kerber after her semifinal win on Thursday. Kerber would then move out to 5-2, and could smell the title before Williams added further drama to the match by breaking the German as she attempted to serve for the title at 5-3.

Perhaps most damning was her 23 first-set unforced error count as she dropped her first set for the tournament. “I got my second chance, and this is my dream come true”, said Kerber, via ESPN. My whole life I’ve been working so hard and now I am here and can say I am a grand slam champion. I really hope you enjoy this moment.

Kerber won 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in a thrilling final to prevent the American from emulating her idol while carving her own piece of history.

Many times defending champion Williams has stumbled into a third set before motoring to victory but Kerber halted her opponent’s momentum immediately in the decider with a hold and early break. “We put her on a pedestal but she is a human being and she has nerves”. – Martina Navratilova, an 18-time grand slam champion.

Her win sparked celebrations in Germany, with a host of stars offering congratulations including Manchester United’s Bastian Schweinsteiger and Formula One driver Nico Rosberg.

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