By Daily Sports on January 29, 2017

Serena Williams beat sister, Venus in straight sets to win her seventh Australian Open and an Open-era record 23rd Grand Slam singles title.

Serena, 35, won 6-4 6-4 to pass Steffi Graf in the all-time list of major winners since the Grand Slams accepted professional players in 1968.

The American regains the number one ranking from German Angelique Kerber.

Australia's Margaret Court, with 24, is the only player still ahead of Serena in terms of Grand Slam singles titles.

'I just want to win' - Serena on Grand Slam ambitions

"Congratulations Serena on number 23," said Venus, who at 36 is the oldest Australian Open finalist in the Open era.

"I have been right there with you, some of them I lost right there against you. It's been an awesome win.

"I'm enormously proud of you, you mean the world to me. I, God willing, would love to come back. Thank you for all the love."

Serena paid tribute to her sister, who was playing her first major final for eight years, saying: "There's no way I would be at 23 without her. There's no way I'd be at one without her. She's my inspiration.

"She's the only reason I'm standing here today. She's the only reason the Williams sisters exist. Thank you for inspiring me. Every time you won this week, I felt like I got a win too."

Serena Williams

Serena Williams won her first Australian Open title 14 years ago

Favourite Serena too strong for Venus

Serena went into the match as a strong favourite, but the tension was apparent as early as the third game when she smashed a racquet in frustration, receiving a code violation.

She had broken serve in the first and third games only to hand the advantage straight back each time, three double faults inexplicably littering a desperate game for 2-2.

All-time Grand Slam singles titles leaders

24 (1960-1973) - Margaret Court (Aus)         19 (1923-1938) - Helen Wills Moody (US)

23 (1999-present) - Serena Williams (US)      18 (1974-1986) - Chris Evert (US)

22 (1987-1999) - Steffi Graf (Ger)      18 (1978-1990) - Martina Navratilova (US)

It was clear the six-time champion was struggling to settle, with 13 unforced errors in the opening five games, while elder sister Venus kept her under pressure with some deep hitting.

The decisive move of the set came with a superb drop volley followed by a thumping forehand winner from Serena to break for 4-3, and this time she managed to consolidate on serve.

In contrast to the opening stages, the following nine games went with serve - Venus recovering superbly from 0-40 early in the second set - but it was Serena who was creating the chances.

She finally capitalised on her sixth break point of the set with a brilliant return to lead 4-3 and followed it up with her best service game of the match for 5-3.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams broke her racquet in frustration in the third game of the match

The crowd on Rod Laver Arena had been backing Venus from the beginning as she tried to win a first major title for eight years, and all the more so as defeat loomed and she appeared to struggle physically.

There was a huge cheer when she held serve to force her sister to serve out the match, but Serena recovered from 15-30 to earn match point and fell back on the court in celebration as her sister sent the ball floating wide.

'I enjoy seeing Williams on the trophy'

Saturday's final was the 28th instalment of the sisters' on-court rivarly, which began at the Australian Open back in 1998, with Serena now 17-11 ahead and 7-2 up in Grand Slam finals.

Venus, who turned professional in 1994 and has won five Wimbledon and two US Open titles, insisted she was not too disappointed after reaching her first major final since 2009.

"No, because I guess I've been here before, "she said. "I really enjoy seeing the name 'Williams' on the trophy. This is a beautiful thing."

Venus v Serena in Grand Slam finals

2001: US Open - Venus won 6-2 6-4   2003: Wimbledon - Serena won 4-6 6-4 6-2

2002: French Open - Serena won 7-5 6-3       2008: Wimbledon - Venus won 7-5 6-4

2002: Wimbledon - Serena won 7-6 6-3         2009: Wimbledon - Serena won 7-6 6-2

2002: US Open - Serena won 6-4 6-3 2017: Australian Open - Serena won 6-4 6-4

2003: Australian Open - Serena won 7-6 3-6 6-4. (bbc.co.uk)          

•Photo shows Serena Williams

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 29, 2017

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