Serena Williams during the women's singles semi-final

Serena Williams of the US plays a backhand in her semi-final match against Li Na of China.

Queen of the final

Serena Williams is the Queen of the Final. In Grand Slam finals, she is 28-5 overall (singles, doubles and mixed). At Melbourne Park, she has never lost a final – not in singles or doubles.

In her 41st Grand Slam appearance, Williams is into her 15th singles final – of the 14 she’s already played, she’s won 11 and lost three (US Open 2001, Wimbledon 2004 and 2008). She’s also won 10 doubles majors (all with sister Venus) and two mixed (both with Max Mirnyi).

She’s already won four singles titles in Melbourne, tying with Margaret Court (who won 11 overall, four of which were in the Open era), Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.

And if Williams wins on Saturday, she’ll have won more singles titles here in the Open era than any other woman.

It’s an impeccable record, one which Williams is looking to build on this weekend.

“I don't come into a tournament trying to defend a title. I come into a tournament trying to win a title. That's how I look at it,” she said after her semi-final win over Li Na of China.

It was a close finish for Williams, who was pushed to tie-breakers in both sets, eventually winning 7-6(4) 7-6(1) and ending Li’s hopes of becoming the first Chinese player to qualify for a Grand Slam singles final. And despite her loss, Li still took some positives away from the match.

“I mean, was first time two Chinese player same time play semi-final in Grand Slam. Good for both player. Of course, I think also good for China tennis,” Li said after the match.

“I think if the children, they saw this time, maybe they have more confident. They think maybe someday they can do also, yeah. I think, how you say, [it] was [an] exciting day.”

But with both Li and compatriot Zheng Jie out of the tournament (Zheng was defeated 6-1 6-0 by Justine Henin), Williams now has only one player left to think about. Henin.

The Belgian’s comeback has been nothing short of spectacular. Two tournaments and two finals. In Brisbane, the former world No.1 fell to fellow comeback Belgian Kim Clijsters in a classic final.

Finally, Henin will meet Williams in a Grand Slam final for the first time – and it’s a tantalising match-up.

“We've never played in a Grand Slam final in the past. It's my first Grand Slam since I'm back, and we're already there. So it's more than a dream. I mean, I'm so happy to play against her because if I want to win another Grand Slam, I'll have to beat the best player of the world. And that's just the biggest challenge I could get,” said Henin.

“I have to be honest, I didn't really expect that. But now that's a reality that is coming. I will try to be at my best.”

Williams, though, is just happy to be in the final after what has been a difficult tournament for the top seed, who has been wearing strapping on her right thigh and left calf.

“I'm happy to still be alive, and one of the last two standing. So it's good,” she said.

But surprisingly, she insists that she won’t begin to think about the final until she walks on court.

“I don't think about it. I just go out and do whatever I can. Whatever happens, it's all I can do at that time.”

When asked about her opponent, Williams was full of praise for the Belgian, who she has played 13 times for seven wins.

“What qualities don't she have? She has everything from really a [good] serve, which you might not think, but she has a really good serve, to both great backhand and forehand.”

The question now, however, is can Henin end Williams’ run of winning Australian Open finals? Or can the American add another record to her already impressive resume? We’ll find out Saturday night.

Serena picks her moments to make final

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A wounded Serena Williams has yet again shown her incredible will to win, ending Li Na’s dreams of a Grand Slam final appearance with a hard-fought 7-6(4) 7-6(1) semi-final win over two hours on Thursday.

The No.1 seed struggled with her movement throughout the semi-final, but showed her trademark grit to edge out Li, who eliminated the elder Williams sister, Venus, in three sets on Wednesday.

The American has now climbed off the canvas in successive days, after scrambling back from a set and 4-0 down against Victoria Azarenka in her quarter-final yesterday. After that match, she admitted a lapse in concentration had her contemplating the possibility of losing both singles and doubles matches and being on the next flight home. She seemed determined not to make the same mistake here, a fierce resolve to win etched on her face amongst grimaces of pain.

Sporting visible strapping on her ankles, wrist, thigh and calf – “I have everything bandaged,” she noted earlier in the week - Williams appeared intent on preserving energy where possible, then lifting for critical points. In both tie-breakers, her game ascended to another level, chasing down balls that previously had eluded her.

She had begun with a flurry, with Li making the errors that could be expected of a player in just her maiden career Grand Slam semi-final against an 11-time champion. The favourite immediately broke Li’s serve, but the No.16 seed soon settled, matching the stronger groundstrokes of Williams and eventually breaking back after successfully challenging an ace on break point before converting.

Williams regularly became irritated at her lack of rhythm, committing 12 unforced errors for the opening set. She often motioned angrily after hitting winners, frustrated that her best and worst could alternate so easily. A swinging second serve ace allowed Williams to clinch an unconvincing set in 58 minutes.

Serena’s movement became more laboured as the second set progressed, with Li beginning to capitalise on her opponent’s inability to change direction. But striving for winners also led to a damaging 21 unforced errors from Li, which allowed Williams to keep her at bay. The American began clubbing winners, and her massive first serve allowed her to shorten points where possible; Williams won a crucial 42 of 49 points for the match when her first ball landed.

Li, however, was showing the grit that saw her snatch victory against Venus Williams, where she came back from a set and 4-5 down with her opponent serving for the match to win in three sets. Li saved four match points in sending the second set to another tie-breaker, but that only served to awaken the lion inside her opponent. At 1-1, Williams finally exploded into life, a winner and a defiant roar signaling that neither injury nor opponent would stand in her quest for a fifth final appearance at Melbourne Park. A 12th ace sealed a win that demonstrated that champions find a way to win where others may fail.

The top seed will now meet either comeback queen Justine Henin or Chinese giant-killer Zheng Jie in the final, and despite her physical ailments, appears hell-bent on another Australian Open title.

Fast facts

- Williams served 12 aces to Li’s one.

- The top seed won 42 of 49 points when she landed her fist serve (86 per cent).

- Li had 38 unforced errors to the 24 recorded by Williams.

- Williams converted just one of her nine break point opportunities, while Li was 1-for-4 on break point chances.

Current Match on Rod Laver Arena Rod Laver Arena - Women's Singles - Semifinals Serena Williams USA (1) 77 77 Na Li CHN (16) 64 61 Match Statistics Serve Statistics

Fearless Forecasts: Serena's Grand Slam goal

The best way Serena Williams can answer her critics – and she has a few after her much-publicised finish to the US Open – is with her racquet.

A sweep of the four majors this year would do just fine. It would constitute the first Grand Slam since Steffi Graf achieved the feat in 1988, and stamp Serena as the greatest player of her era.

You can bet that that’s at the back of her mind today as she embarks on a defence of her Australian crown. It’s the kind of motivation she needs to bring out her special brand of dynamic tennis.

And Serena knows she can do it. She has won all four of the majors at least once, the total to date being 11, including four at Melbourne Park.

If she clinches a fifth Australian title on Saturday week, she’ll be ahead of such immortals as Graf, Martina Navratilova and Monica Seles.

In the men’s event, Roger Federer opens his campaign with a match against Russia’s Igor Andreev. The classy Swiss is trying to win the title for a fourth time after losses to Novak Djokovic (semi-final) and Rafael Nadal (final) in 2008 and 2009 respectively. If successful, he will equal Andre Agassi’s performance between 1995 and 2003.

Trengove’s Fearless Forecasts

Federer (1) v Andreev
Andreev stretched Federer to five sets at the 2008 US Open and tends to be unpredictable (except to Fearless). Federer will want to see that the Muscovite doesn’t get his teeth into the match. Federer in four.

Djokovic (3) v Gimeno-Traver
The only time they met previously – at Barcelona on a clay court in 2006 – the Spaniard won in three sets. Djokovic has come a long way since, whereas Gimeno-Traver languishes in the 70s. Djokovic in straight.

Davydenko (6) v Kindlmann
After twice beating both Federer and Nadal in recent ATP events, Davydenko’s confidence is higher than the RLA roof. Davydenko in straight.

Hewitt (9) v Hocevar
The Aussie isn’t daunted by his Sydney loss to Baghdatis. Nor should he be. He’s fit, keen, and far too strong for the No. 192-ranked Brazilian qualifier. Hewitt in four.

S. Williams (1) v U. Radwanska
Serena has had a sore left knee, but otherwise has too much artillery for the Polish up-and-comer, who took her to 6-4, 6-4 at Wimbledon in 2008. Serena in three.

V. Williams (6) v Safarova
The Czech made the quarter-finals in 2007, has won four titles on the tour, and was once ranked No. 22. So Venus can’t afford one of her sluggish starts. Venus in three.

Stosur (13) v Han
Stosur should have the shots and experience to dispose of the little-known Chinese qualifier. On the other hand, you never know with qualifiers. Stosur in three.

Molik v Coin
Molik’s power and athleticism will overwhelm the journeywoman from Amiens. Molik in straight.

Photos: Serena Williams wins the Australian Open singles trophy

Here's photos of Serena Williams with the 2009 Australian Open trophy during the on court presentation plus the post match press conference.


Serena will also become the #1 ranked player in the world once the rankings are updated on Monday.

Continue reading for heaps of photos! ["heaps" means lots and lots and lots more photos]

Sydney Medibank International: players paty

Tennis players glam up for the Medibank International cocktail party in Sydney, Australia.

Above is the gorgeous Elena Dementieva at Darling Harbour.

Continue reading this post for photos of (in order): Gilles Simon, Vera Zvonareva, Serena Williams (and her diamond necklace), Lucie Safarova, Agnieszka Radwanska, David Nalbandian, Novak Djokovic and the Bryan brothers.



Lucie is a pretty girl in real life, but her photos never seem to turn out right (this particular one reminds me of the Exorcist girl walking backwards down the stairs).

HQ pic! Serena Williams and Serena Cuevas

Thanks to Meg for sending over this HQ photo of Serena Williams posing with Serena Cuevas - who was named the winner of the GATORADE G2 EVERYDAY ATHLETE SEARCH. 23 year old Cuevas was a survivor of a car accident. Watch the video of the Q&A session with all the Seranas on Gatoride's website!

“Whether you are Serena Williams or Serena Cuevas, we all have it within us to achieve our dreams and goals, thanks to sports, exercise and being active,” said Sarah Robb O’Hagan, chief marketing officer for Gatorade. “This G2 campaign invites more consumers to see themselves as athletes while motivating them to be the best they can be.”

Click below to read the full story: "Serena Meets Her Match" as well as the HQ photo.

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TENNIS STAR SERENA WILLIAMS SELECTS HER MATCH
AT GATORADE G2 EVERYDAY ATHLETE SEARCH

Five Semi-Finalists – All Named Serena -- Share Their Inspired “Everyday Athlete” Stories
For Chance To Appear Next to Serena Williams in G2 Low-Calorie Sports Drink Campaign

HOLLYWOOD, CA. (February 24, 2009) –Top world ranked tennis player Serena Williams – who just came off winning her 10th Grand Slam Singles Title at the 2009 Australian Open - teamed up with Gatorade G2 today at Hollywood’s famed Roosevelt Hotel to select who will appear alongside her in a new national “Everyday Athletes” ad campaign for the Gatorade G2 low-calorie sports drink. Emceed by Access Hollywood host and upcoming Dancing with the Stars competitor, Nancy O’Dell, The G2 Everyday Athlete Search featured five semi-finalists –all named Serena – who traveled to the event from around the country to discuss their personal stories of how sports and exercise have helped them overcome a challenge or allowed them to reach and accomplish a significant, personal goal.

A casting panel consisting of Serena Williams, and representatives from Shape Magazine and Gatorade G2 selected winner Serena Cuevas, 23, from San Diego, Calif. based on Cuevas’ story of growing up with a passion to dance that was sidetracked by a horrific car accident at the age of 17. She was told by the doctors she may never dance again. With determination and passion, Cuevas recovered and went on to compete in national and international salsa competitions, as well as establish her own dance company - Deseo Dance Company – in San Diego.

Cuevas will appear with Serena Williams in the national ad campaign beginning this spring that will help draw attention to the Gatorade brand’s broadened definition of what it means to be an athlete. If your body is moving, Gatorade considers you an athlete. In addition to Serena Williams, G2 is also unveiling three more “everyday athlete” ads, featuring the NBA’s Kevin Garnett, WNBA’s Candace Parker, and Gold Medal Beach Volleyball star Kerri Walsh with their “everyday athlete” counterparts. Others are invited to share their own “everyday athlete” stories at missionG.com, the new sports and entertainment portal for Gatorade.

In recent weeks, Gatorade has launched a comprehensive marketing campaign designed to appeal to a broader range of athletes and beyond the traditional sidelines. The G2 Everyday Athlete Search, part of the new G campaign, is a call to action for all active people, not only to think about Gatorade in new and exciting ways, but also to search for compelling ways they can challenge themselves to achieve while promoting the low-calorie benefit of the beverage with a tagline of “Less Calories for More Athletes.”

Along with winner Cuevas, the other semi-finalists who traveled to Hollywood to meet with Serena include Serena Marrero, 47, Tillson, New York; Serena Lehman, 27, Seattle, Wash.; Serena Orgel, 34, Brooklyn, New York; and Serena Martinez, 38, Ventura, Calif.

Photos: Serena Williams hosts Gatorade G2 Everyday Athlete Search

Serena Williams and television personality Nancy O'Dell (pictured below) hosted the Gatorade G2 Low-Calorie sport drink "Everyday Athlete" print campaign in Los Angeles last night. The G2 Everyday Athlete Search was a competition to find an athlete named "Serena" based on the contestants' personal stories of the role sports and exercise have played in overcoming challenges and adversities.

Serena Cuevas was named the winnner, among the five semi-finalists. Cuevas will appear with Serena Williams in the national ad campaign beginning this spring that will help draw attention to the Gatorade brand's broadened definition of what it means to be an athlete.

Continue reading for pics of Serena Williams as well as all the other Serenas. Serena?

Serena Williams:


Other Serenas: