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 yesterday and become Germany’s first grand slam champion in 17 years.
In the ultimate tribute to her childhood hero, Kerber foiled Williams’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 Williams who had roared back from 5-2 down in the deciding set.
In a final game riven with tension, Williams succumbed on the first match point with a volley that floated well past the baseline.
It sounds crazy, but I can say I’m a grand slam champion now- Angelique Kerber
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 Williams 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.
Her hopes of pulling off a rare calendar grand slam were left in tatters once again, only four months after they were crushed in the US Open semi-finals by Italian Roberta Vinci.
Williams 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,” Williams told reporters.
“I was really inspired by that. So, honestly, she’s a really good girl. If I couldn’t win, I’m happy she did.
“I mean, every time I walk in this room, everyone expects me to win every single match, every single day of my life. As much as I would like to be a robot, I’m not. I try to.”
A former world number five in 2012, Kerber will soar to second when the rankings are updated.
“I think my phone is exploding right now,” said Kerber, who received personal congratulations from Graf and German chancellor Angela Merkel.
“I have so many emotions it’s like crazy.”
First doubles title
In the late match at Rod Laver Arena, Jamie Murray, men’s single finalist Andy’s elder brother, won his first men’s doubles title with Bruno Soares after they beat Daniel Nestor and Radek Stepanek 2-6 6-4 7-5.
The younger Murray will seek his first Australian Open title at Melbourne Park after four fruitless trips to the final when he takes on defending champion and his Melbourne Park nemesis Novak Djokovic.