We witnessed history of a different kind.
The planned celebration of Serena Williams drawing level with Steffi Graf on 22 grand slam titles hit an unexpected snag.
In one of the most entertaining and dramatic Australian Open women’s singles finals in history, German seventh seed Angelique Kerber showed a steely resolve to come away with her first grand slam title in a 6-4 3-6 6-4 shock at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday night, leaving Williams on 21 titles and third on the list of women’s grand slam champions.
For the persistent Kerber, it was the realisation of a childhood dream.
“I think it’s more like proud, proud about my team, yeah, my family, my friends,” Kerber said of her feelings after winning the title.
“They are always believing in me. I’m not the easiest person sometimes. I had also like a few downs where I was not so believing in myself.
“All my family and friends, they believe always in me. They told me, okay, let’s go to work and you will do it someday.
“Yeah, I’m just happy. I mean, I have so many emotions it’s like crazy.”
Kerber was rated little chance of pulling off an upset before the match, but was undoubtedly the best player on the court on this night and deserved all the accolades that came her way.
Those include a new status as the second-ranked player in world and the first German female to win the Open since Graf in 1994.
Kerber was nearly flawless in her execution over two hours and eight minutes.
She raced around the court incessantly to return ball after ball against Williams’ power from the baseline.
Kerber was hellbent on dictating the match from her baseline, only coming to the net three times for the match, but it was a plan that worked to perfection.
She was patient with her strokes, hanging in every rally and just waiting for Williams to make the mistakes.
Williams was reckless at times with her play, committing 46 unforced errors.
That was largely brought about by the unbelievable defence produced by Kerber.
Kerber committed only 13 unforced errors – just 4.33 per set.
“I was missing a lot off the ground, coming to the net,” Williams said.
“She kept hitting some great shots actually every time I came in. I think I kept picking the wrong shots coming into it.”
Kerber responded every time she was challenged this tournament.
In the first round, she had to stave off match point against Japan’s Misaki Doi to advance.
It can be a fine line in a cut-throat grand slam tournament, can’t it?
Kerber knows all too well the sudden death nature of the slams, having succumbed in two quarter finals and two semi finals previously in her career.
“I had really crazy two weeks,” Kerber said.
“I mean, with the first round where I was match point down, and then with the win over [Victoria] Azarenka in the quarters. I never beat her.
“Now to play against Serena, what was a really honour to play against her in a grand slam final. It was my first final. I was really looking forward. I was really excited.
“I knew before that I beat her once in Cincinnati, that I really must go out there to try to beat her again because she will not give it to me.
“It was a really great match from both of us. Yeah, really it’s a special moment for me.”
Kerber was not going to let the opportunity slip.
She came out with a purpose, breaking in the third game of the first set.
It was a huge moment, one that gave Kerber the belief to go on and win that first set.
Williams came roaring back.
The American superstar found two breaks of serve to pick up the second set.
A crucial hold in the eighth game of the second set ensured Kerber would serve to start the third and deciding set.
It was a third set full of drama with twists and turns around every corner.
The players exhibited a contrast of emotions, while the fans sat on the edge of their seats and lapped up the thrilling finish to one of the great matches at Melbourne Park.
It was pressure of the highest order for the players and Kerber was able to come through in the end.
She held serve in the opening game of the set, then delivered a body blow in the form of a break to take a 2-0 lead.
As was the nature of the contest, Williams fought back again, breaking back to get the set on serve, leaving you to wonder what more Kerber could do to create any separation to complete her mission.
But Kerber dug deep, finding a second break to get her nose in front in the third set and went on to clinch victory.
“I was trying to stay relaxed until the last point,” Kerber said.
“When I hit the match point, I was just try to hoping to return the ball over the net. Just hoping, yeah, that I can make the ball and just going for it if I have the chance.
“When the ball was out from her, I was just, yeah, so happy. I mean, it’s amazing.”
2016 Australian Open
Women’s singles final
Angelique Kerber (GER) d Serena Williams (USA) 6-4 3-6 6-4
