On a night when Steffi Graf loomed large over Rod Laver Arena, an inspired Angelique Kerber stunned Serena Williams in a three-set classic to win the Australian Open on Saturday and become Germany’s first Grand Slam champion in 17 years.
In the ultimate tribute to her childhood hero, Kerber foiled Serena’s bid to match the German great’s tally of Grand Slam titles, closing out a magnificent 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win in her first major final. The seventh seed’s triumph secured her nation’s first Grand Slam win since Graf raised her 22nd and final trophy at the 1999 French Open.
“Yeah, I think I helped Steffi right now,” a beaming Kerber told reporters. “This is the first big tournament of the year, and I won it, the first Grand Slam. It sounds crazy, but I can say I’m a Grand Slam champion now.”
Kerber sought inspiration from Graf during a trip to the 46-year-old’s Las Vegas home last year and put in a performance worthy of her mentor.
She defended brilliantly throughout the two-hour and eight-minute cliff-hanger, showing nerves of steel to fend off Serena who had roared back from 5-2 down in the deciding set.
In a final game riven with tension, Serena succumbed on the first match point with a volley that floated well past the baseline. Kerber was already flopping to the ground before the ball had landed, and she flung her racquet away as a packed crowd of 15,000 roared in elation and disbelief.
The 34-year-old Serena has no liking for runner-up finishes at Grand Slams, and her defeat was the first in a final since her shock loss to Sam Stosur at the 2011 US Open.
Serena was nonetheless gracious in defeat, walking directly to Kerber’s side of the court to embrace her warmly as the champion wept with joy.
“She had an attitude that I think a lot of people can learn from: just to always stay positive and to never give up,” Serena told reporters.
A former World No. 5 in 2012, Kerber will soar to second when the rankings are updated.
