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Maria SharapovaSerena Williams destroys Maria Sharapova with a Slam dunkSerena Williams powered her way to her third and possibly most satisfying Australian Open title on Saturday, proving far too strong and powerful for Russian number one seed Maria Sharapova and winning a one-sided final 6-1, 6-2 at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena. Sharapova was left looking like a glorified spectator at times with the former women's world number one taking only 63-minutes to complete her victory by playing some of the finest tennis of her career. Without a title since her Melbourne Park success in 2005 and entering the tournament at a lowly ranking of 81, Williams became the first unseeded Australian Open women's champion since Chris O'Neil won the crown at Kooyong in 1978. The result was a clear statement from Williams that she is back to her best after two injury-riddled seasons -- the result will give the top ten plenty to think about with Williams knocking on the door again. Sharapova was tentative with her serve, committing six double-faults, but like Tommy Haas in the men's semi-final on Friday, the Russian did not play as badly as the scoreline suggests. But on this form Williams was unstoppable and switched on from the opening point with some brutal serving and punishing ground strokes that left Sharapova bewildered. At no stage in either set was Sharapova in the hunt, with Williams racing to a 5-0 lead in the first before the Russian could get on the scoreboard, and in the second set she stormed to 4-0 up before Sharapova broke her duck. The American claimed the championship with a cross-court winner triggering joyous, if somewhat subdued celebrations. Sharapova can take some solace in regaining the world number one ranking from Justine Henin-Ardenne, while Williams, in winning her eighth Grand Slam title, sees her ranking shoot back to a creditable number 14. Serena Williams Routs Maria Sharapova To Win Australian OpenMELBOURNE, Australia -- Serena Williams won her eighth and most improbable 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, Ms. Williams came into the tournament ranked No. 81 after spending most of last season on the sidelines because of a knee injury. It was her first title in 15 tournaments since winning the 2005 Australian Open, and the most dominating win in a completed championship match at Melbourne Park since Steffi Graf beat Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario 6-0, ... Tennis Betting - Australian Open - Serena Williams vs Maria SharapovaWho would have seriously thought two weeks ago that, with only a few hours to go before the final round at the Australian Open, we would be discussing Serena Williams’ odds to win the title? Seriously, those of you who bet on the “dangerous floater” Serena Williams, tipped at +1600 at the start of the tournament, must be patting yourselves on the back, preening with delight, as you are one win away from a big payout! Well, good for you! However, you are not there yet! Maria Sharapova has praised Serena Williams for her "flawless tennis" during the American's 6-1 62 demolition of her in the Australian Open final.It took Williams little over an hour to seal victory over the current US Open champion and new world number one in the most one-sided final since Steffi Graf beat Arantxa Sanchez Vicario for the loss of just two games in 1994. "She played flawless tennis," Sharapova said. "I was trying to find ways to get into the match but I wasn't able to do it. She was serving big and pretty consistent. "We played some good tennis but didn't have many long rallies because she was aggressive with all her shots, going for them and making most of them. "My serving percentage was not good enough. It was a matter of serving well and returning well and I didn't think I did either today." The 19-year-old Russian said she was not surprised by how well unseeded world number 81 Williams had played at the tournament. "I expected her to play well, she's won six matches here and she has no reason not to be confident. Her first serve is consistently the biggest in the game. It's definitely her biggest weapon." Sharapova came within two points of defeat to Camille Pin in her first round match as she struggled with temperatures that soared to over 40 degrees and said she was pleased to have made the final. "I don't like losing, it's not fun but these moments make stronger," she said. Maria Sharapova | Maria Sharapova 1 | Maria Sharapova 3 | Maria Sharapova 4 | Maria Sharapova 5 | Maria Sharapova 6 | Maria Sharapova 7 | Maria Sharapova 8
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