Angelique Kerber has upset Serena Williams 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to win the Australian Open title, ending the six-time champion’s unbeaten streak in finals at Melbourne Park.
Advertisement
Djokovic claimed the 2016 Australian Open title after completing a three-set to love victory as Kerber stunned Serena Williams, beating her 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in an exhilarating contest.
Those errors and a lack of timing on several potential winners enabled Kerber to break again in the seventh game and then seal the first set in 39 minutes when Williams made another unforced error.
The 28-year-old German, born in Bremen to Polish parents, broke through for her maiden major success at her 33rd attempt, shocking world number one Serena Williams 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 and gaining a legion of new fans. Right on the heels of tying tennis legend Steffi Graf’s 22 major title wins, Williams, the No. 1 rank, fell short to Kerber, who is No. 6.
The gulf in career achievements is massive to say the least and, as a result, Kerber too said she had “nothing to lose” as she prepares for the biggest match of her career – an Australian Open final against an unstoppable world No. 1.
The German faced the powerful Serena serve first up, and failed to win a point against it. Kerber appeared nervous and sent down a double fault, but steadied herself and a forehand long from Serena allowed her to hold. “What’s after two is one, so I guess I better be careful”.
Kerber was only the fourth player to beat Williams in a grand slam final and was touched by the American coming round the net to congratulate her at the end of the match.
Ominously, the world No. 1 was eight from eight in deciding sets of grand slam finals. “You know you must play your best tennis”.
“My whole life I’ve been working really hard and now I’m here”. I know I will make a lot of media and press when I get back. We played a great match, I think. She wins most every tournament she is playing in.
“Would I give myself an A? No”.
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. “As much as I would like to be a robot, Im not”.
“I just remember her serving really well, her moving well, her being determined to win that”. ‘I was really inspired by that. “Congrats to Angie”, Williams said.
“What a insane match, really well played and so well fought”, Huber, 41, said.
Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot to Garbine Muguruza of Spain, during the women’s singles final at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Saturday July 11, 2015.
“I definitely block it out”, she said, of her thoughts about reaching the milestone.
Advertisement
Williams was nonetheless gracious in defeat, walking directly to Kerber’s side of the court to embrace her warmly as the champion wept with joy.
