Fans watched on in disbelief as six-time champion Williams – who lost her first Australian Open final in seven appearances – struggled to find her range in the opening set, tallying a staggering 23 unforced errors.
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Serena Williams suffered an unexpected defeat to Germany’s Angelique Kerber who garnered her first major at the Australian Open final in Melbourne on Saturday, January 30, 2016.
Kerber says she has yet to contemplate being a Grand Slam champion, being No. 2 in the world, and having nearly an entire year ahead of her to challenge Williams for the No. 1 ranking. “This is the first big tournament of the year, and I won it, the first Grand Slam”. The indications that there is a life beyond the court for champions was also evident as Andy Murray broke down after the final, while recalling a particularly tough two weeks due to family circumstances.
“Hopefully I’m playing better”, Williams said, adding that at 34 and with the clock ticking, she is making the most of every minute on court. “She had an attitude that I think a lot of people can learn from – to always stay positive and never give up”.
Williams immediately walked over to congratulate Kerber.
Mindful that Courier had contracted a stomach bug after his last swim in the polluted Yarra, Kerber ensured she kept her head above water.
“It was fascinating to see how courageously and, with such nerves of steel, how you prevailed in the final against arguably the best player in the world”.
Williams was gracious in defeat as she hailed Kerber’s fighting spirit that prevented the American from tying the Open Era record of 22 Grand Slams and denied her a seventh trophy in Melbourne.
The German went 5-2 up, but was broken as she served for victory as Williams closed within 5-4.
However, Serena recalled a match against Kerber nearly two years ago in which the German shocked the world No. 1 in Cincinnati.
“I didn’t think she would win it, but as soon as [Victoria] Azarenka lost I thought it was Serena’s, but hats off to the German”.
She was under vast pressure a year ago when she had the opportunity to become the first player since Graf in 1988 to claim a calendar grand slam, only to have the dream ended by Roberta Vinci in the U.S. Open semi-finals.
“Here it was like that, I was trying to believe much more in myself”. The last time that she was able to beat Serena was in the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati event in 2012 when she beat her in straight sets, 6-4 6-4.
Williams overshot a forehand volley on match point, sending Kerber sprawling to the ground in tears. “I am taking a couple of days off before going to Fed Cup in Thailand”, said Sania after her arrival here.
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A sign of her burgeoning confidence came in the sixth game of the third set when she produced two perfectly executed drop shots to save game points.
