Serena Williams defeated Justine Henin 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to win her fifth Australian Open singles title. Thing got ugly in the second set, but Williams’ gradually calmed down and summoned her power to down Henin.

From FOXSports.com:

Williams withstood a determined challenge from Henin before securing her fifth Australian Open title and 12th Grand Slam singles championship overall.

Henin, who had most of the crowd support at Rod Laver Arena, couldn’t match her fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters’ feat of winning in her Grand Slam comeback tournament. Clijsters won last year’s U.S. Open on her return from a two-year retirement after getting married and having a baby.

Williams won the last four games Saturday to clinch the final in just over two hours, falling on her back in celebration after match point before shaking hands with Henin at the net.
The American holds an 8-6 lead in career meetings between the pair, including a 6-2, 6-0 win in Miami in 2008. At the time, it equaled the worst loss for a reigning No. 1, and Henin quit tennis two months later.

Henin won the Australian Open title in 2004. She quit from the 2006 final with stomach problems while trailing Amelie Mauresmo 6-1, 2-0.

Williams’ 12th singles major matched American great Billie Jean King’s career total. King was at the stadium on Saturday night to take part in a pre-match ceremony to honor the 40-year anniversary of Margaret Court’s four Grand Slam tournament wins in 1970.

Henin’s effort needs to be recognized. The Australian Open was only her second tournament since coming back from retirement. She beat four seeded players before facing Serena in the final. Given the lack of depth in women’s tennis, I think Henin will climb the rankings very quickly.

As for Serena, there’s no one better in women’s tennis. At 28 years old, she should be playing at the top level for a while longer. She might need to stop playing doubles with sister Venus, however. Although they nabbed the doubles title at this year’s Australian Open, it’s getting tougher for them to completely annihilate opponents.

With Henin and fellow Belgium Kim Clijsters back in action, women’s tennis is finally more competitive. Thankfully, this puts an end to Serena rolling over flimsy Russians in Grand Slams finals. The competition should make for some exciting tennis.


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