New Delhi: Serena Williams has won her eighth Grand Slam title, overwhelming top-seeded Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-2 in the Australian Open on Saturday.
Only the second unseeded woman to win the Australian title in the Open era, Williams came into the tournament ranked No 81 after spending most of last season on the sidelines because of a knee injury.
The American opened with a big serve and a similarly impressive backhand winner followed by an ace suggested she was not suffering from too many nerves.
It took her 27 minutes and 15 winners to her opponent's five to lift the first set 6-1.
Williams led 4-0 before Sharapova held again, avoiding the most lopsided women's final ever in the Australian Open.
Serving for the match, Williams fired two aces to earn triple match point and then finished it off in one hour and three minutes with a backhand winner.
It was her first title in 15 tournaments since winning the 2005 Australian Open, and has taken her to the 14th spot on the WTA rankings.
Serena dedicated her win to elder sister Venus Williams who missed the tournament through injury.
"I would like to dedicate this win to my sister Venus, she's not here but I love her very much," Serena said.
"I said if I won this it would be for her," an emotional Serena added.
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