picture credit-AFP

Serena Williams beaten just the fifth time in 26 grand slams, the US Tennis Champion was defeated at Melbourne Park by opponent Angelique Kerber.

28 year old Kerber is is the first German to win a major singles title since Steffi Graf at the 1999 French Open.

Ms Williams missed the chance to tie Graf's open-era record of 22 titles.


In the closing speech, Serena congratulated Kerber "I'm so happy for you and I really hope you enjoy this moment, thanks to my team for the ride and also the crowd. She went on to say it was really fun and she enjoyed herself.

Serena is an inspiration to Kerber and so many young people in the world. It is so unusual for Serena to lose, she is not a sore loser, she is a gracious champion. The spirit of sportsmanship in her is impeccable and I wish her the best of luck.

Also a job well done to Kerber, who pressured Williams into a string of unforced errors in the first set by chasing down virtually every ball, she mixed true grit with sheer class as she broke for a 4-2 lead in the deciding set. Two glorious drop shots were the highlight of a ten minute plus game of five deuces, in which Williams saved 4, but not 5, break points.

Well done ladies..