Serena Williams on Saturday became the most decorated singles player in the Open Era as she clinched her 23rd Grand Slam title beating her sister Venus Williams 6-4, 6-4 in the Australian Open women’s singles final at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.
? @serenawilliams’ Grand Slam singles titles@AustralianOpen: ???????@rolandgarros: ???@Wimbledon: ???????@usopen: ?????? pic.twitter.com/ThqFAW7C95
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2017
Serena Williams reclaimed her No.1 spot in the rankings with the win and also joined Martina Navratilova as the only other woman to win six Grand Slams without dropping a set.
.@serenawilliams “I can’t believe I’m number one.” #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/bkP7fyW63T
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2017
It was a special night for the Williams sisters who met at a Grand Slam final after nearly eight years.
Well hi Alexis! #ausopen ?? pic.twitter.com/Zj70o4VHsA
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2017
It wasn’t the most competitive or gruelling battle between the two sisters but the aura and romanticism surrounding the rivalry between the two kept the audience on the edge of their seats throughout.
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian applauds as he watches his fiancee United States’ Serena Williams defeat Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in her first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne on January 17. (AP)
Among them were Reddit co-founder and Serena’s fiance Alexis Ohanian, who could be seen vividly tensed and upset every time Serena failed to convert a break point or take a winner.
A #GirlSquad which includes @karliekloss *and* Daphne??
Not bad, Serena.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/IWddiATMXH
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2017
However, to his relief and the majority of the crowd at the Rod Laver Arena, Serena quickly got back to her feet and served big to pile up the pressure on Venus.
Congrats to @serenawilliams for this amazing achievement!!! What a historic final- both are true champions ? @Venuseswilliams #AusOpen
— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) January 28, 2017
However, once Serena got the break in the seventh game of the second set and held her serve to go 5-3 up, there were smiles on Alexis Ohanian’s face who knew the record was just a game away.
#GOAT @serenawilliams @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/0PlQw2AidC
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) January 28, 2017
Serena took 41 minutes to win the second set and the championship and blew a kiss Ohanian at the stands soon after.
#Serena: “I’m really a career-oriented woman but it’s a bonus to have my fiancée around.” #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/n6Hnb8wTh3
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2017
“I’m really a career-oriented woman but it’s a bonus to have my fiancee around,” Serena told after the match.
.@karliekloss and @alexisohanian congratulating the #AusOpen 2017 Champion @serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/B1iq2fLxf9
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2017
Ohanian took to Twitter to wish Serena on her 7th Australian Open victory.
I’m so proud of you, Serena. https://t.co/i2HhjyeJhv
— Alexis Ohanian (@alexisohanian) January 28, 2017
“I’m so proud of you, Serena,” he stated, while retweeting the championship point.
Congrats @serenawilliams on your 23rd major title and return to the top of the@WTA rankings. You are a history maker and a trailblazer.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 28, 2017
The official Twitter handle of the Australian Open later posted a video where Ohanian could be seen meeting Serena off-court to congratulate her.
Source: HindustanTimes