Serena Williams won the title last year as well, beating Maria Sharapova in straight sets.The Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy is carried into Rod Laver Arena by two champions - Kim Clijsters and Australian legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley!Williams has 21 Grand Slam titles and today will look to equal Steffi Graf's all time record of 22.Interestingly, her opponent, Angelique Kerber, considers Steffi Graf her all-time idol.Of the 6 times Williams and Kerber have met in the past, the German has triumphed only once.The pair last met at Stanford in 2014, with Williams winning that in straight sets.Interestingly, all their matches in the past have been on hard courts.Rain expected - so the roof on Rod Laver Arena was closed preemptively; they'll play on indoor hard courts!Last year, Kerber won titles at Birmingham, Stanford, Charleston and Stuttgart.She's previously made the 4th round of the Australian Open, with today her first ever Grand Slam final.Williams is off to a flying start straightaway, taking her first service game without conceding a single point.Kerber has held now for the two to go 1-1 in the first set.That was a shocker! Kerber with an early break in the first set leads Williams 2-1!Game point for Kerber - luckily Williams staves off for now..And she's GOT IT! After an early break, Kerber holds to go 3-1 !And she holds! Williams trails 2-3 in the first set, with Kerber up a break of serve.Serena lets out a trademark scream. After failing to reach Kerber's shot, she berates herself.The pair are now at deuce with Williams hoping to break back.Serena breaks back! She's equalised 3-3.Williams is having trouble playing the left handed Kerber, and has been scrambling across court to make up.Break point again.. and Kerber takes it with both hands! She's broken Williams a second time to lead 4-3.7 forehand unforced errors from Serena.. and Kerber holds to go 5-3. Williams will now serve to stay in the set.Williams holds! She's still in it at 4-5; It's Kerber who will now serve for the set.SET POINT for Angelique Kerber - who has not conceded a point in this game!SET KERBER! Straightaway, the German leads Serena one set to love.Each player holds serve...but it's now break point Serena!Serena Williams breaks Kerber's serve to go 3-1 up in the 2nd set.Williams holds to take a commanding 4-1 lead in the 2nd set.Kerber holds to stay one break down at 2-4.Williams holds to go up 5-2 in the 2nd set.Serena has calmed down and let her game do the talking in the 2nd set, dominating it so far.Kerber holds to make it 3-5. Williams will serve for the 2nd set.Serena holds comfortably to take the 2nd set 6-3.1 set apiece in the final now. Will Kerber be able to step up in the 3rd or will Serena continue her form from the 2nd?Kerber wins her service game.. and looks all set to break Serena now.TRIPLE break point! Scintillating stuff off the racquet of Angelique Kerber.She has an early break in the decider...but Serena breaks back!2-2 now - but Serena falters!A 19-SHOT RALLY! It's now 3-2 and the FIFTH deuce with Williams on serve.A double fault from Serena gives Kerber a SECOND BREAK of serve! 4-2 to Kerber, who is now on serve.40-0 - and Kerber holds! She leads 5-2 and Serena will now serve to stay in the match.Now it's Kerber's turn - she's serving for the championship!BREAK POINT - and Serena takes it! She's trailing Kerber 4-5 in the final set. Can she still do this?BREAK POINT and CHAMPIONSHIP POINT to ANGELIQUE KERBER! Could we be looking at our new Australian Open champion?It's all over! Angelique Kerber beats Serena Williams 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, to win her first ever Grand Slam title!
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