Serena wins the Australian Open!

Serena Williams is unstoppable!

The world no.1 has been struggling for the last week with a nasty cough to manage to beat in straight set an in-form Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open final

Iron Serena

The American wasn’t at her best from a physical point of view, but she was the absolute dominator from a mental point of view. Serena impressed the most in the 1^st set when there was an interruption for raining. The score was 3-2 30-all on Serena’s serve and the organization called for a 10 minutes break to close the roof; Serena went straight to the locker room to take some. After the American was back on court, she had to get back in the tunnel to fight against a coughing fit. Back again to the court she looked almost done. She went back: an ace and a firing forehand and she won the game in no time to then break Maria (at love) in the following game (superhuman things). Eventually after another exchange of breaks the world no.1 won the set 6-3. In the second set Serena and Maria didn’t drop a single service game and the American won the tiebreak at 5. The final score was 6-3 7-6 (5).

Serena: Maria really pushed me tonight

The American commented “I have to congratulate Maria, who played a wonderful, wonderful match tonight. She really pushed me tonight. She played so well and gave us a great final – not only for you guys, but for women’s tennis and all of the sponsors who support our sport and all of us. I’m honored to play you in the final.

Growing up I wasn’t the richest, but I had a rich family in spirit and support, and standing here with 19 championships is something I never thought would happen. I went on the courts with just a ball, a racquet and a hope. That’s all I had. So all you guys who want to do something or be something, just never give up. You never know what can happen or who you can inspire. I’m just so honored.”

Sharapova: It’s an honor playing Serena

Maria was still “OK” even if she failed to take advantage of an ailing Serena “First of all I’ve got to congratulate Serena on creating history and on playing some of her best tennis. It’s an honor playing against her. I haven’t beaten her in a really long time, but I love it every time I step on the court to play her because she’s the best, and as a tennis player you want to play the best, so congratulations on such a great achievement.

“It’s been a long couple of weeks here for me. I was almost down and out in the second round, and I gave myself a second life in this tournament. It wasn’t enough today, but I love it here. I’ve had some of my best memories on this court and my toughest losses, but that’s life as a tennis player.”

Serena’s record

This is Serena’s 19^th slam, the 6^th Australian Open (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010 2014) and the 65th career title.  Serena is 3 slams short from equaling the great Steffi Graf. Can she make it? Probably yes, but it has to be within the next 2 years.