MELBOURNE,Australia—Serena Williams was in rhythm from the start of the Australian Open women’s final at an open-roofed Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park on Saturday night January 31. She smashed her way easily though to her fourth Australian Open title defeating Dinara Safina 6-0, 6-3.
If Raffa and the Fed each have a hand on the men’s cup; since early round rustiness, Serena’s hands had been tightening on the handles of the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup and was ready to lift it.
Telling a Chanel 7 reporter that “I’m just going to enjoy myself today”, Serena went out and wiped the Russian off the Plexicushion court.
The Australian Open has been one of Serena’s most successful venues. The younger sister of Venus has now won the 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009 titles. She teamed with her sister to with the women’s doubles title this year with others in 2001 and 2003
Not to take anything away from Safina. She wasn’t up to it. No one in the tournament would have been in the final. Williams smothered her.
The Russian has come a long way though since her first round exit in the 2008 AO. Since then she lost in the French Open in June, was the silver medal win in the 2008 Olympics and has stepped out of the shadow of older brother Marat Safin.
She met her challengers along the way. Compatriot Vera Zvonareva in the semis and resurgent Australian Jelena Dokic in the quarters strongly supported by hometown fans were her last two hurdles. She showed she has a winning spirit – the 23-year-old will be back again stronger and sharper.
In the acceptance speeches, Safina congratulated her opponent and commented about the dominance Williams had over her from the first game.
“I was just a ballboy on the court,” said the now No.2 in the world.
Speaking after the formalities, Serena told a Chanel Seven national audience that: “I was a little nervous actually going into that match. And I thought ‘I’ve got nuttin’ to lose’. You know, everyone’s putting pressure on me? And I felt like I’ve just got go in there and do what I need to do”.
After a very fast first set where Safina didn’t get a look in, Williams said that she reminded herself to stay focussed in the break before the second set.
“She’s a warrior. She never gives up. Well I gotta stay focussed and she immediately broke me,” she said.
The 27-year-old explained that playing in the doubles tournaments had helped sharpen her game.
“Venus and I have really started going to the net a lot more and we’re really focussed on attacking and I think that helped my singles game, which is good.”
Williams has a strong self-belief and consider her return to the top said that the rankings accurately reflected the state of women’s tennis at the moment.
“I think Dinara has been playing great tennis. She’s getting to the finals in every tournament that she’s in. And I’m doing OK,” she laughed.
Serena’s win in Melbourne tonight returned her to the top of the world rankings for the third time. She holds ten grand slam titles. And as the world’s highest paid sportswoman – the Australian Open’s $US1.35million prize money takes her to in excess of $US22 million since her debut in 1998.
If Raffa and the Fed each have a hand on the men’s cup; since early round rustiness, Serena’s hands had been tightening on the handles of the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup and was ready to lift it.
Telling a Chanel 7 reporter that “I’m just going to enjoy myself today”, Serena went out and wiped the Russian off the Plexicushion court.
The Australian Open has been one of Serena’s most successful venues. The younger sister of Venus has now won the 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009 titles. She teamed with her sister to with the women’s doubles title this year with others in 2001 and 2003
Not to take anything away from Safina. She wasn’t up to it. No one in the tournament would have been in the final. Williams smothered her.
The Russian has come a long way though since her first round exit in the 2008 AO. Since then she lost in the French Open in June, was the silver medal win in the 2008 Olympics and has stepped out of the shadow of older brother Marat Safin.
She met her challengers along the way. Compatriot Vera Zvonareva in the semis and resurgent Australian Jelena Dokic in the quarters strongly supported by hometown fans were her last two hurdles. She showed she has a winning spirit – the 23-year-old will be back again stronger and sharper.
In the acceptance speeches, Safina congratulated her opponent and commented about the dominance Williams had over her from the first game.
“I was just a ballboy on the court,” said the now No.2 in the world.
Speaking after the formalities, Serena told a Chanel Seven national audience that: “I was a little nervous actually going into that match. And I thought ‘I’ve got nuttin’ to lose’. You know, everyone’s putting pressure on me? And I felt like I’ve just got go in there and do what I need to do”.
After a very fast first set where Safina didn’t get a look in, Williams said that she reminded herself to stay focussed in the break before the second set.
“She’s a warrior. She never gives up. Well I gotta stay focussed and she immediately broke me,” she said.
The 27-year-old explained that playing in the doubles tournaments had helped sharpen her game.
“Venus and I have really started going to the net a lot more and we’re really focussed on attacking and I think that helped my singles game, which is good.”
Williams has a strong self-belief and consider her return to the top said that the rankings accurately reflected the state of women’s tennis at the moment.
“I think Dinara has been playing great tennis. She’s getting to the finals in every tournament that she’s in. And I’m doing OK,” she laughed.
Serena’s win in Melbourne tonight returned her to the top of the world rankings for the third time. She holds ten grand slam titles. And as the world’s highest paid sportswoman – the Australian Open’s $US1.35million prize money takes her to in excess of $US22 million since her debut in 1998.
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