Top seeds Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams triumphed at the 2015 Australian Open. Novak and Serena, both ranked atop the men’s and women’s tour, took home the championship trophy at Melbourne Park.
Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova
Williams has once again proven his dominance against Maria Sharapova in the finale of the first grand slam tournament of the current tennis calendar. Williams also extended her head-to-head record 17-2 with straight sets victory over Maria Sharapova 6-3 7-6 (5) on Jan. 31. It was Williams’ sixth Australian Open trophy and 19th grand slam title.
Speaking after the match, Williams has revealed that she had already written off her chances of winning another Australian Open title when she entered the tournament, which is why she was very thrilled that she would be leaving Melbourne as the champion. Williams cruised past the early rounds beating Alison Van Uytvanck, Vera Zvonareva, Elina Svitolina, and Garbine Muruguza. In the last eight, Williams scored straight sets victories over Dominika Cibulkova and fellow compatriot Madison Keys to book her place in the final.
“It feels really good,” Williams told the reporters. “It feels really good to be sitting her as the champion, I definitely didn’t think I would be here in the beginning of the week or the beginning of the two weeks, but it feels pretty excellent.”
Williams currently holds the record of the most Open Era titles with six. She won the title in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2015.
Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray
Djokovic claimed his fifth Australian Open trophy after beating 7-6 (5) 6-7 (4) 6-3 6-0 Andy Murray in four-set final match on Feb. 1. Djokovic has previously beat Murray in the finals of the Australian Open twice, in 2011 and 2013. Djokovic and Murray fought hard in the opening sets, but the Serbian took control in the last two sets to walk away with the victory, winning 12 of the last 13 games.
Djokovic said after the match that his recent Australian Open victory means so much more now. “I think it has deeper meaning, more intrinsic value now to my life because I'm a father and a husband,” Djokovic said. “It's the first grand slam title I won as a father and a husband, just feel very, very proud of it.”
Australian Open champions Williams and Djokovic are expected to lead the field at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The tournament will take place from Feb. 15 to Feb. 28, 2015.
Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts after missing a shot against Serena Williams of the U.S. during their women's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas Peter REUTERS/Thomas PeterCourt attendants dry the court with towels during a rain delay during the women's singles final match between Serena Williams of the U.S. and Maria Sharapova of Russia at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Barria REUTERS/Carlos BarriaMaria Sharapova of Russia hits a return to Serena Williams of the U.S. during their women's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Barria REUTERS/Carlos BarriaMaria Sharapova of Russia watches as court attendants wipe down the court with towels during a rain delay in her women's singles final match against Serena Williams of the U.S. at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Issei Kato REUTERS/Issei KatoMaria Sharapova of Russia hits a return to Serena Williams of the U.S. during their women's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Barria REUTERS/Carlos BarriaMaria Sharapova of Russia reacts after missing a shot against Serena Williams of the U.S. during their women's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas Peter REUTERS/Thomas PeterSerena Williams of the U.S. reacts after winning a point against Maria Sharapova of Russia during their women's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas Peter REUTERS/Thomas PeterSerena Williams (R) of the U.S. shakes hands with Maria Sharapova of Russia after defeating her in their women's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2015. REUTERS/David GrayREUTERS/David GraySerena Williams of the U.S. celebrates after defeating Maria Sharapova of Russia in their women's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Issei Kato REUTERS/Issei KatoTennis great Martina Navratilova (C) stands with Serena Williams (L) of the U.S. as she holds the winner's trophy next to Maria Sharapova of Russia after winning their women's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne
January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Issei Kato REUTERS/Issei KatoSerena Williams of the U.S. reacts after winning a point against Maria Sharapova of Russia during their women's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Brandon Malone REUTERS/Brandon MaloneA supporter of Serena Williams of the U.S. reacts during her women's singles final match against Maria Sharapova of Russia at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne
January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas Peter REUTERS/Thomas PeterMaria Sharapova of Russia reacts to a question during a news conference after her defeat to Serena Williams of the U.S. in their women's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas Peter REUTERS/Thomas PeterSerena Williams of the U.S. reacts to a question during a news conference after defeating Maria Sharapova of Russia in their women's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaNovak Djokovic of Serbia opens a bottle of sparkling wine as he poses for the media on the banks of the Yarra River in Melbourne, February 2, 2015, a day after he defeated Andy Murray of Britain in their men's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne. REUTERS/Thomas Peter REUTERS/Thomas PeterMaria Sharapova of Russia hits a return to Serena Williams of the U.S. during their women's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Barria REUTERS/Carlos BarriaIs Serena Williams the greatest female tennis player of all time? Many would agree as she had proven a number of times that she is truly a great champion.IN PHOTO: Serena Williams of the U.S. poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after winning the women's singles final match at the 2015 Australian Open tennis tournament during a photo call at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building February 1, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas Peter REUTERS/Thomas PeterKim Sears, the fiancee of Andy Murray of Britain, looks on before the start of his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne February 1, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas Peter REUTERS/Thomas PeterA protester is removed from the court by a security personnel during the men's singles final match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Andy Murray of Britain at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne
February 1, 2015. REUTERS/Issei Kato REUTERS/Issei KatoA spectator catches the racket of Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who threw it into the stands after defeating Andy Murray of Britain to win their men's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne February 1, 2015.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria REUTERS/Carlos BarriaSecurity staff surround Novak Djokovic of Serbia as protesters (not pictured) display slogans during the men's singles final match between Djokovic and Andy Murray of Britain at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne
February 1, 2015. REUTERS/Issei Kato REUTERS/Issei KatoKim Sears, the fiancee of Andy Murray of Britain, cheers him on during his men's singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne February 1, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas Peter REUTERS/Thomas PeterAndy Murray of Britain reacts in his chair after losing a game to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their men's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne February 1, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas Peter REUTERS/Thomas PeterNovak Djokovic (L) of Serbia shakes hands with Andy Murray of Britain after winning their men's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne February 1, 2015. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaAndy Murray of Britain is reflected in his runner-up trophy during the prize-giving ceremony after losing to Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their men's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne February 1, 2015. REUTERS/Carlos Barria REUTERS/Carlos BarriaBoris Becker, coach of Novak Djokovic of Serbia, applauds as Djokovic receives his trophy following his win over Andy Murray of Britain in their men's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne February 1, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas PeterREUTERS/Thomas PeterA spectator catches the racket of Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who threw it into the stands after defeating Andy Murray of Britain to win their men's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne February 1, 2015.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria REUTERS/Carlos BarriaA ballboy falls over as Andy Murray (R) of Britain runs past to chase a shot from Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their men's singles final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne February 1, 2015. Murray lost the match to Djokovic. REUTERS/Brandon Malone REUTERS/Brandon Malone
