Australian Open 2016: Angelique Kerber shocks Serena Williams to win first Grand Slam title
Germany's Angelique Kerber pulled off a stunning victory to win the Australian Open and dash Serena Williams' hopes of clinching a record-equalling Grand Slam title.
Williams went into Saturdays final hoping to pull level with Graf’s record of 22 major triumphs.
But 28-year-old Kerber played the match of her life to beat the American 6-4 3-6 6-4 to claim her first Grand Slam.
Completing victory after two hours and eight minutes, Kerber lay outstretched in disbelief on Rod Laver Arena, having sealed one of the biggest shocks in tennis history.
It is the first time Williams has lost in eight Australian Open finals and the 21-time major champion was well below-par, making 46 unforced errors, more than double the amount of any of her previous rounds.
Williams came into the match as heavy favourite, having won their past four meetings, but the American endured a nightmare start as 20 unforced errors helped Kerber take a surprise one-set lead.
Williams regained some composure at the start of the second set and Kerber gave her the encouragement she needed, as two double faults gifted the American a break and 3-1 advantage. And it was all she needed as she served out with ease to force a decider.
And what a decider it was. Many times Williams has stumbled into a third set before motoring to victory but Kerber halted her opponent's momentum immediately with a hold and early break.
But Williams recovered immediately to break back and level at 2-2. Kerber held and then a mammoth 11-minute game ensued at 3-2 which the German eventually won to break again.
Kerber then held but so did Williams, leaving it to the German to serve for the title at 5-3. She wavered, failing to do so as a backhand drifted out and now it was Williams serving under pressure as she trailed 5-4.
On a knife-edge at deuce, Williams dumped a forehand into the net giving Kerber Championship point, and she was made to pay for her consistant errors as a backhand then flew long, prompting the German to drop to the floor in stunned disbelief.
Kerber said she had "one leg on the plane home" when match point down against Misaki Doi in the opening round but now, seven victories later, she is the Australian Open champion.
Graf has become something of a mentor for the world number six and there is some symmetry that she is the first German to win in Melbourne since Graf did in 1994.
"When I played here in the first round I had one leg on the plane to Germany and now I'm here," Kerber said.
"I think I get the second chance and I take my chance to be here in the finals against Serena.
"I'm really honoured to be here and to win it is my dream come true tonight.
"My whole life I worked really hard and now I'm here I can say I'm a grand slam champion. It's crazy and unbelievable."