German world No.6 Angelique Kerber produced the match of her career to defeat top seed and defending champion Serena Williams 6-4,3-6,6-4, in the final of the Australian Open.
Williams reached her 26th Grand Slam final without dropping a set. The world No.1 spent a total of seven hours on the court in the build up to the final, producing wins over Maria Sharapova and Agnieszka Radwanska. In comparison Kerber spent an extra two hours and 26 minutes to reach the final, defeating Victoria Azarenka and Johanna Konta to reach her maiden Slam final.
The prospect of playing in her first Grand Slam final against the world No.1 didn’t faze Kerber as she was the first to attack in the match, capitalizing on a below-par Williams service game. At 1-1, the world No.1 plowed a backhand shot into the net to hand the German a double chance to break. The break was then gifted to Kerber after a lengthy rally was concluded with a long shot from the defending champion. Williams responded triumphantly in the sixth game after a forehand winner down the line allowed her to break back to level 3-3. Despite the comeback, Kerber was still the dominant force on the court against an increasingly tense Williams. The efforts invested by Williams to break back was squandered in the following game after back-to-back unforced errors allowed Kerber to grab her second break of the match. Serving to take the first set in her maiden final, the world No.6 sealed the set after a Williams shot tapped the top of the net but failed to go over.
During the first set Williams produced 23 unforced errors compared to Kerber’s 4. The German was particularly effective against her opponent’s second serve, winning 9/16 points.
Kerber has only defeated Williams once in her career at the 2012 Western & Southern Open. After the first three games of the second set went with serve, Kerber’s momentum was halted by an error-stricken service game. Producing two double faults in her game, the German was broken with ease by the defending champion. As Williams appeared more relaxed against her younger opponent, she extended her lead to 4-1, reviving her chances of matching Steffi Graf’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles. The second set progressed the way that many anticipated the first set to, with Williams hitting furiously to dictate play on her own terms. Serving to take the match into a decider, Williams grabbed her first set point after a quick serve was returned out by Kerber. The 35-year-old took advantage of her first set point after her opponent failed to return the ball over the net. The biggest difference for Williams in the second set was her winner-unforced error ratio. During the second set it was 16-5 compared to 12-23 in the first.
Terceiro set, aqui vamos nós! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/aFpJbVcFCu
— Bola Amarela (@Bola_Amarela) January 30, 2016
Suffering a second set hammering, Kerber left the court for a comfort break. When she returned the German was in the same devastating form as she was during the opening set. Claiming eight out of the first nine points of the final set, Kerber broke the world No.1 with a world class forehand winner down the court to lead 2-0. Despite the early surge by Kerber, Williams responded automatically by breaking back in the following game, prompting the American to scream ‘Come On’.
Mesmo muito medo. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/DJjGKReUpE
— Bola Amarela (@Bola_Amarela) January 30, 2016
Despite losing the early break, Kerber was still demonstrating outstanding play with a variety of drop shots and defensive play that many of the men’s tour would be proud of. The sixth game of the final set turned out to be the game of the match. As Williams served to level 3-3, the German was relentless in her offensive. The world No.1 gave all she had but prevailed on her fourth break point to hand Kerber the break for 4-2. It seemed that Williams’ chances of winning her 22nd Grand Slam title were completely over, but there was another turn in this roller-coaster match.
Serving for the title, Kerber got off to a rocky start as she went down 0-30. The slow start dented her hopes as Williams broke back with ease to put proceedings back on serve. The German still remained focused as Williams served to stay in the match. A duo of errors from the top seed moved Kerber to two points from the title. She grabbed her first championship point after a crosscourt exchange a concluded with an unforced error from Williams. The German then clinched the biggest title of her career when a shot from Williams sailed past the baseline.
Fitting that it ended on a backhand pass from Kerber #ausopen https://t.co/VPzzhkIwZI
— Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) January 30, 2016
The sensational victory means that Kerber has become the first German winner of the tournament since Steffi Graf back in 1994. The Triumph in Melbourne has now elevated Kerber to a ranking high of 2nd in the world.
Angelique #Kerber defeats Serena #Williams in her first Grand Slam Final #AusOpen https://t.co/A6ggO60Vvs
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2016
