<div align="justify">American superstar Serena Williams today rewrote history by becoming the first woman tennis player to win a record 23 Grand Slam titles beating elder sister Venus Williams 6-4 6-4 in the final of the Australian Open, here.<br /><br />With today's triumph, the 35-year-old younger Williams will also get back to numero uno position when the WTA publishes its latest rankings on Monday.<br /><br />Inarguably, one of the greatest exponents that the game of tennis has ever seen, Serena's seventh Australian Open title was a bit of an anti-climax as the quality of tennis was bereft of the top billing of a marquee clash. In what turned out to be a baseline slugfest between the two sisters, Serena walked away with the coveted title by winning the big points and making less mistakes.<br /><br />In the end, Venus' backhand lob went wide and Serena seemed more relieved than elated as her elder sister crossed the sides to give her a tight hug. For 36-year-old Venus, a sentimental favourite after making it to the finals beating some of the opponents half her age, the summit clash was a big letdown with the number of unforced errors that marred her game.<br /><br />Especially her cross-court shots -- both backhand and forehand couldn't come through, making it easier for Serena to come back hard at her. Either she hit the net or the shots went wide.<br /><br />Venus showed glimpses of her old self in the third game of the second set, when she was down 0-40 on her serve. But the six-time Grand Slam singles champion reeled off five straight points to make it 2-1.<br /><br />The most important game turned out to be the seventh game of the second set when Serena broke Venus' serve. The standout shot was a thundering backhand down the line and the break happened when the champion hit a double handed backhand cross the court to make it 4-3 and then closed the match in the 10th game.<br /><br />"I just kept praying and praying and I am here. I love you (Venus), thank you. I take this moment to congratulate Venus, she is an amazing person. There is no way I would be at 23 without her. She is my inspiration, the only reason why I am standing here. Thank you for inspiring me to be the best player. She has been such a great champion," Serena said after the match.</div>
<div align="justify">American superstar Serena Williams today rewrote history by becoming the first woman tennis player to win a record 23 Grand Slam titles beating elder sister Venus Williams 6-4 6-4 in the final of the Australian Open, here.<br /><br />With today's triumph, the 35-year-old younger Williams will also get back to numero uno position when the WTA publishes its latest rankings on Monday.<br /><br />Inarguably, one of the greatest exponents that the game of tennis has ever seen, Serena's seventh Australian Open title was a bit of an anti-climax as the quality of tennis was bereft of the top billing of a marquee clash. In what turned out to be a baseline slugfest between the two sisters, Serena walked away with the coveted title by winning the big points and making less mistakes.<br /><br />In the end, Venus' backhand lob went wide and Serena seemed more relieved than elated as her elder sister crossed the sides to give her a tight hug. For 36-year-old Venus, a sentimental favourite after making it to the finals beating some of the opponents half her age, the summit clash was a big letdown with the number of unforced errors that marred her game.<br /><br />Especially her cross-court shots -- both backhand and forehand couldn't come through, making it easier for Serena to come back hard at her. Either she hit the net or the shots went wide.<br /><br />Venus showed glimpses of her old self in the third game of the second set, when she was down 0-40 on her serve. But the six-time Grand Slam singles champion reeled off five straight points to make it 2-1.<br /><br />The most important game turned out to be the seventh game of the second set when Serena broke Venus' serve. The standout shot was a thundering backhand down the line and the break happened when the champion hit a double handed backhand cross the court to make it 4-3 and then closed the match in the 10th game.<br /><br />"I just kept praying and praying and I am here. I love you (Venus), thank you. I take this moment to congratulate Venus, she is an amazing person. There is no way I would be at 23 without her. She is my inspiration, the only reason why I am standing here. Thank you for inspiring me to be the best player. She has been such a great champion," Serena said after the match.</div>