Serena Williams won this Saturday, the 23rd Grand Slam title of her career by beating her big sister Venus (6-4, 6-4). Never truly upset by her sister during the match, the American becomes world No.1.
New world No.1, Serena Williams is just one way the absolute record of victories in Grand Slam after his 23rd title, won against her sister Venus in the final of the Australian Open without suspense Saturday in Melbourne in two sets 6-4, 6-4. In the professional era, the German Steffi Graf (22 titles) has now distanced and Australian Margaret Court, sitting in the presidential box of the Rod Laver Arena, saw the American move closer to a trophy of his absolute record (24). “It’s a wonderful feeling to have won this trophy 23rd. Long ago I pursue this goal and now I am. There is no better place to do it here in Melbourne, “ said the champion.
How far could it go? “I do not have a figure in mind, I just want to keep winning” , she has said. Given the ease with which Serena has progressed in the table, without losing a set, it is likely that the 24 will soon be exceeded, despite the age of the champion, 35 years. Californian seemed to have found a worthy opponent last year with Angelique Kerber, who beat her in the final in Melbourne before taking him first in the world by winning the US Open (or Serena lost in the semifinals ). But the German had a big slump in Australia. Eliminated in the knockout stages, it leaves the throne to Serena, the world No.1 oldest in history. “It’s a bonus, I like to be at the top” , confessed to Serena. Other outsiders, the Spanish Garbiñe Muguruza, Czech Karolina Pliskova, the Polish Agnieszka Radwanska or Romanian Simona Halep disappeared before the semifinals, sometimes before. This is the seventh title of the youngest of the Williams in the Australian Open, fourteen years after the first, also won in 2003 against his sister.
7-2 to Serena in final
As expected, Serena has emerged easily, 1h 22 min. She had some problems at first, totally by him. A little nervous, she committed no less than 13 fouls in the first five games before reacting vigorously: a single mistake in the following five to win the set. It made the difference thanks to its ability to make the point in a sudden racket (ten aces) or two by attacking the second ball of Venus.
The presence of the elder, 36, in the final was a surprise, helped by a favorable picture. Only 17 global and absent major finals since the 2009 Wimbledon against her sister, she has only met opponents classified beyond the 25th place worldwide. It was the ninth Grand Slam final between the Williams, Serena now leading 7 to 2. “I would never be 23 titles without it. I’d be nowhere actually, because it is what motivates me. She did a great return “, Serena said when receiving his trophy.
