Williams wins Australian Open

Serena Williams today claimed her seventh Grand Slam title with a rollercoaster victory over Lindsay Davenport in the Australian Open.

Davenport raced through the opening set and looked set for a first Grand Slam title in five years as Williams appeared hampered by injury.

But after receiving treatment Williams launched a superb fightback to record a 2-6 6-3 6-0 victory in 89 minutes, Davenport’s game simply going to pieces.

Williams, the 2003 champion, lost the first four games in just 11 minutes, serving well below top speed and grimacing in pain when stretching to hit shots.

The 23-year-old called for the trainer after finally getting on the scoreboard in the fifth game, and then left the court for further treatment on a back injury.

Williams looked considerably more lively when she returned to court and forced a break point on Davenport’s serve, but the world number one held on to gain the upper hand.

Whatever had been bothering Williams in the first set no longer seemed to be an issue however, particularly when she saved six break points in an epic fifth game to stay ahead.

Davenport had been holding her own serve with ease until a terrible ninth game, the 28-year-old gifting Williams the break with a double fault after leading 40-0.

Williams then confirmed she was back to her best with an eighth ace to serve out for the set 6-3 and level the match.

Davenport was clearly rattled by Williams’ fightback, serving another double fault in the opening game of the decider and rushing between points.

A backhand error gave Williams the break of serve and from then on Davenport’s game disintegrated.

She lost her serve twice more and from 3-3 in the second set lost a total of nine games in a row as Williams breezed to victory.

Williams revealed she had picked up the injury in the early stages of the first set, adding: ``Lindsay had me on the run and my back went out.

“I am not as young as I used to be. Eventually I was able to come back thank goodness.”

Davenport paid tribute to Williams and hinted she would return next year despite being on the verge of retirement last summer.

“She has had a tough couple of years and has come back like the champion she is,” said Davenport. “I hope to see you again.”

Williams admitted the fifth game of the second set, when she saved six break points, was key to the outcome.

“I kept thinking ‘I am not losing this game,”’ said Williams. “My arm was hurting because I was serving so much but I didn’t care if my arm fell off, I was not losing that game.”

Williams underwent knee surgery after her last Grand Slam final win at Wimbledon in 2003 and also suffered personal tragedy in September when her sister was murdered in Los Angeles.

“I never really thought about holding a Grand Slam trophy again,” Williams added. “I just tried to realise what was most important to me and it helped me realise if I could go through that I could cope with anything.

“I always thought God and family were number one and that is true, and as long as I have that solid foundation everything will come together.”

Asked if she could regain the form which saw her win five out of six Grand Slams between 2002-03, Williams added: “I think I can definitely do it. I did not have the preparation I wanted coming here so that gives me the confidence I can do it if I put in the work.”