Serena playing at another level, says beaten Radwanska

It was the worst possible opening for Radwanska, with Williams, the oldest world number one in WTA history, breaking and then using her huge power advantage to easily hold serve and go 2-0 clear.

Williams and Kerber have tried to play down expectations heading into Saturday’s decider, but the former goes in as favourite. “But I didn’t think I’d be doing so much, so fast; so thank you so much for all of your support”, Williams added, addressing the crowd and her fanbase, known as “Rena’s Army”. Kerber downed Williams once in 2012, but Williams won their last meeting back in 2014. Not only is the world No 1 over her disappointment at missing out so narrowly on the calendar year Grand Slam last season but she has also taken her game up to another level – and wants to continue dominating for years to come.

“I think from then on out I’ve been really focused that she’s someone that I, and everyone, really has to take very seriously”.

The 34-year-old Williams was reminded at one news conference that when she played Graf in 1999, she referred to her as “Miss Graf”, out of respect.

“The first few balls, I think they are really deciding in the match”. “I feel I am playing the best I can, and I can t believe I am in the final”.

In addition to trying to match Graf’s record, Williams will be looking to win her seventh Australian Open title.

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. “I was the favorite in New York”, Williams said.

“Physically, I’m feeling a lot better, and mentally I needed that break after the US Open”.

However, in the face of this pressure Williams has asserted that she is playing even better than she was previous year when she stormed to five titles. But that was a learning experience.

“I’ve worked hard to challenge rivals like Roger and Rafa (Nadal) and I feel at the peak of my career”, Djokovic said.

“I think she wrote me, but I was not able to check it right now. That’s something that I’ll never forget”, said Williams. I was thinking about this match and what’s happened there.

Kerber has impressed recently having won eight of her last ten matches with her only losses coming during her lead-up to the tournament at the hands of Victoria Azarenka during the final of the Brisbane International and in the second round of the Sydney International by virtue of a walkover. Of course I must play my best tennis to have a chance against her but actually I will try to give everything.

Kerber’s spot in the Melbourne Park showpiece may seem like a surprise, but those tracking her progress after the past year will not be shocked to see the Bremem native doing so well. It only took her two sets to advance to the quarterfinals and once there, she made short work of Johanna Konta.

Kerber faced a match point during a tiebreaker in her first-rounder against Japan’s Misaki Doi, but won in three sets. “I’m really excited just to be in the final; I can’t say that I though I would have been in this final after taking so much time off. Either way, I’ll be excited”.