Serena Williams for the first time in his career lost in the final of Australian Open – RBC

Serena Williams for the first time in his career lost in the final of Australian Open

Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the final of the Australian Open beat first -ranked American Serena Williams with a score of 6: 4, 3: 6, 6: 4.

The meeting lasted 2 hours 8 minutes. In the third set Kerber led 5: 2, served for the match, but gave her the game, giving the opponent a chance to restore equality. However, in the tenth game of the 28-year-old German for the fifth time in the match made the break and won his first tournament «Grand Slam».

Serena Williams, schitavshasya undisputed favorite playoff earlier six appearances in finals Australian Open and won every time. Seventh victory would allow it to break his own record for the most wins at the Australian Open for the rest of the Open era.

Open era began in 1968, when the International Tennis Federation has allowed the professionals to take part in its tournaments. In the history of tennis only Australian Margaret Court has more titles. She won the Australian Open 11 times. 7 times – at a time when the competition was attended by only amateurs, and 4 times – in the Open era.

Kerber became the first German woman to win the tournament “Grand Slam” singles since 1999, when Steffi Graf won on the “Roland Garros” in Paris. She also became the first lefty in 20 years, won the Australian Open. In 1996 he won a victory in Melbourne was in favor of the United States Monica Seles. Next week, the first time in his career Kerber rises to second place in the ranking of WTA.

After the match Kerber with a loss for words. However, early in his victory speech, she paid tribute to Serena Williams.

 

«Serena, you inspire so many people. You’re a great tennis player. Thank you very much for what she did. My dream has come true. I now have goosebumps. Throughout my life I have worked hard. Now I can truly say that it has become the champion of the tournament “Grand Slam”. This something the unthinkable “- said the German.

 

In the first round of this tournament Kerber played match points in a meeting with a Japanese woman Misaki Doi – 6: 7 ( 4: 7), 7: 6 ( 8: 6), 6: 3. After that, the final German not given a single game, beating Romanian Alexandra Dulgheru ( 6: 2, 6: 4) American Madison Brengle ( 6: 1, 6: 3), compatriot Annika Beck ( 6: 4, 6: 0), Victoria Azarenka of Belarus ( 6: 3, 7: 5) and Joanna Comte UK ( 7: 5, 6: 2).

The victory would allow Williams Jr. catch up with the German woman Steffi Graf for the most wins in the tournament “Grand Slam” for all the Open era ( 22). Earlier, Serena Williams for six times won the Australian Open ( 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015), US Open ( 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014) and Wimbledon ( 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015) and three excelled at “Roland Garros» ( 2002, 2013, 2015). In the history of tennis only Margaret Court won more tournaments “Grand Slam» ( 24). 13 of them – before the Open era.

Despite the defeat, Serena Williams retained the title of the first racket of the world. Higher spot in the WTA rankings it takes for the past 277 weeks. More only American Martina Navratilova ( 332) and Germans Steffi Graf ( 377).

«Angie, congratulations! You were the best in this tournament. You really deserve this victory. I hope you can fully enjoy this moment. Today I did on the court everything I could. I would like to win all the matches, but I’m not a robot, “- said Serena Williams after the match.

Melbourne (, Australia). Australian Open. Women. Singles. Final

Angelique Kerber ( Germany, 7) – Serena Williams ( US 1) – 6: 4, 3: 6, 6: 4