News Digest

Serena Williams wins 6th Australian Open, as Murray aims to claim his first

Serena Williams gave a gallant Maria Sharapova another serving of grand slam heartbreak to win the Australian Open on Saturday and bolster her claims to be the all-time greatest player with her 19th major title. The win puts Williams in a tie with fellow American Helen Wills Moody for third on the all-time best list. Williams beat Maria Sharapova 6-3, 7-6 (5) Saturday. Only Australia’s Margaret Court (24 titles) and Germany’s Steffi Graf (22) have more grand slam singles titles than the 33-year-old American. Williams has not lost to Sharapova since the 2004 WTA Finals. Williams, who was battling a cold and cough throughout the tournament, did not concede a point on serve until her third game of the second set while Sharapova struggled and was fighting to stay in the match.

Standing here with 19 championships is something I never thought would happen. I went on the courts with a ball and racquet and hope, and that’s all I had.

Serena Williams after her win over Maria Sharapova Saturday

Meanwhile, in the men’s final Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will do battle tomorrow at the Rod Laver Arena at 8:45 am (GMT). If Murray wins it will be his first title at Melbourne Park, from his fourth final appearance. It would also end another long barren streak for British men’s tennis, as he would be the first British man since Fred Perry in 1934 to clinch the Australian title. ”I feel like I’m playing well again,” Murray said on Saturday. ”I feel like things have been going the right direction the last couple months.”