Summary

  • Williams beats Sharapova 6-3 7-6 (7-5)

  • Top seed Williams wins 19th Grand Slam

  • Sharapova not beaten Williams in 11 years

  • Williams leads head-to-head 17-2

  • Get involved: #bbctennis on Twitter, 81111 via text

  1. Postpublished at 11:35 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    MurrayImage source, EPA

    And now it is also time for us to say goodbye - until tomorrow of course. If you're struggling to contain your excitement ahead of Murray v Djokovic, then keep busy with these two must-read pieces ahead of the final.

    Andy Murray is the favourite - Martina Navratilova

    Murray has to be aggressive - John Lloyd

    See you tomorrow! And remember - set those alarm clocks.

  2. Postpublished at 11:29 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Get inside Serena! Hanging around in the Melbourne rain will not help the world number one's sniffling cold and barking cough one little bit.

    Williams felt so bad during a rain delay in the first set that she left the court to vomit. But it was Sharapova who was left feeling sick as she watched Serena hit 18 aces and 38 winners as she won in one hour and 51 minutes.

    Watch the moment where Williams sealed her sixth Australian Open title with an ace.

  3. Serena wins Australian Openpublished at 11:25 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Piers Newbery
    BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

    Williams has finally finished her victory lap of Rod Laver Arena after seemingly meeting everyone in the front row individually, she's so overjoyed. She has walked the tunnels below the arena with trophy in hand and negotiated the rain under an umbrella as she heads for Australian television, pausing on the long flight of stairs for a breather. "I'm so cold," she says on arriving at Channel 7, who wrap her in a towel.

  4. BBC coveragepublished at 11:20 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Sunday mornings are usually a time for a kickabout on the football pitch, a fry-up at your local greasy spoon, or lazing around in bed until midday.

    Not tomorrow. Set your alarm clocks nice and early - because you simply cannot miss Andy Murray's bid to win his first Australian Open title. And once you wake up from your slumber you won't miss a serve or winner thanks to BBC Sport.

    Television coverage starts at 08:15 GMT on BBC One, the BBC Radio 5 live team will begin their build-up at 06:00, while text commentary right here on the BBC Sport website will start at 07:30.

  5. Postpublished at 11:15 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Piers Newbery
    BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

    Andy Murray update - the British number one has been out for a hard practice session today after taking it a little easier on Friday as he enjoys the relatively rare two-day break between matches.

    In relaxed mood when he spoke to the media a little earlier today, he put the pressure on Novak Djokovic. "He has a fantastic record here," said Murray. "He obviously loves the court and the conditions. It would be a big upset if I manage to win."

  6. 'It would be a big upset if I win'published at 11:12 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Andy Murray is aiming for his first Australian Open title when he plays Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final.

    At his news conference earlier today, Murray said: "I know it's going to be extremely difficult. If I want to win it will be tough and challenging physically.

    "Novak has a fantastic record here. He loves the court and conditions, it would be quite a big upset if I win."

    Andy MurrayImage source, AUSTRALIAN OPEN
  7. More to comepublished at 11:11 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Today's match between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova was the first Australian Open final between the top two female players in the world since 2004. And, although Sharapova couldn't force a third set, the high-quality match did not disappoint.

    Guess what? We have got to go through it all again tomorrow. Why? For the small matter of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in the men's final...

  8. Reaction from other playerspublished at 11:05 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki on Twitter:, external "Big congratulations to my big sis Serena Williams on #19! Such an inspiration. #champ."

    Kim Clijsters, the 2011 Australian Open winner, writes on Twitter:, external "Serena showed why she is the number one. #toogood."

    American Bethanie Mattek-Sands, a winner in the 2015 Australian Open women's doubles competition, says on Twitter:, external "Amazing match to watch. And what a clutch ace on match point after the let. Serena Williams focused and breaking records."

  9. Swan beaten in girls' finalpublished at 11:04 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Katie SwanImage source, AP

    Like Maria Sharapova, Britain's Katie Swan missed out on a Grand Slam title as she lost the Australian Open girls' final ahead of the main event.

    The 15-year-old from Bristol struggled with a leg injury during a 6-1 6-4 defeat by Slovakian Tereza Mihalikova on Rod Laver Arena.

    Swan was hoping to become the first Briton to win the title since Annabel Croft in 1984. She joins compatriot Laura Robson as a girls' runner-up in Australia, with Robson making the 2009 and 2010 finals.

    Katie SwanImage source, Reuters
  10. Get involvedpublished at 11:01 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Serena WilliamsImage source, Getty Images

    MariaThierryHenry:, external Wow that speech was inspirational! She talks so well just like how she plays. Serena Williams such a legend.

    Jonny Harper:, external Serena Williams: "Prayers not to win but for strength" Wonderful wisdom. "All glory to God." Wonderful humility.

    Mellor&Scott:, external Congrats to Serena Willams on a 19th slam. A brutally high level of tennis. Maria Sharapova would have beaten anyone else today

  11. Postpublished at 11:00 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Emotional stuff from Serena as she gives "probably my longest speech" after a Grand Slam win. "I love you Serena!" shouts one female fan. "I love you too," replies the champion. Awww. We have a love-in here at Rod Laver Arena.

  12. Player reactionpublished at 10:56 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Serena WilliamsImage source, EPA

    Australian Open winner Serena Williams says: "I have to congratulate Maria, she played a wonderful match and she really pushed me. She played so well and gave me a great final not only for the fans, but for women's tennis. I'm really honoured to play her in the final.

    "Growing up I wasn't the richest, but I had a rich family in spirit and support. Standing here with 19 championships is something I never thought would happen. I went on court with a ball, a racquet and hope, that's all I had. And it's an inspiration for you guys who want to be the best - you can be, never give up and you don't know who you can inspire.

    "I'm so honoured to be here standing with my 19th title - I'm just so excited."

  13. Serena wins Australian Openpublished at 10:54 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Martina Navratilova smiles as she hands over the grand silver trophy to Serena Williams. But the Czech-American must be slightly upset inside as she contemplates dropping to third on the all-time list of female Grand Slam winners.

  14. Serena wins Australian Openpublished at 10:51 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Serena Williams looks almost embarrassed as the head of the presentation party reels off her tennis achievements. Six Australian Opens and 19 Grand Slams in case you've forgotten.

    "An icon, a phenomenon, a legend," he gushes. It's hard to disagree. Although Williams shakes her head as his words ring around the Rod Laver Arena.

  15. Player reactionpublished at 10:49 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Maria SharapovaImage source, AP

    Beaten finalist Maria Sharapova says: "First of all I want to congratulate Serena on creating history and playing some of her best tennis. It's an honour to play against her.

    "I've not beaten her for a long time, but I love every time I play her as she is the best and you want to play against the best.

    "It has been a long couple of weeks. I was almost down and out in the second round and gave myself a second life in the tournament. It was not enough today, but I gave it everything. I love playing in the Rod Laver Arena, I've had some of my best memories and toughest losses, but that's the life of a tennis player."

  16. Match statisticspublished at 10:49 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    StatisticsImage source, BBC Sport
  17. Postpublished at 10:49 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Andrew Castle
    BBC tennis commentator on BBC Two

    "Absolute credit to Maria Sharapova. You can't play a better match and lose in straight sets. She tried everything possible to make it happen."

  18. Serena wins Australian Openpublished at 10:48 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    Maria Sharapova steps forward first, exchanging kisses with Martina Navratilova to receive the runners-up plate, rapturous applause ringing in her ears. The Russian begins her post-match speech by praising arch-rival Williams, who heartily claps back.

  19. Serena wins Australian Openpublished at 10:46 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    A host of smartly-dressed Australian Open officials walk on to the hastily-erected stage in the middle of Rod Laver Arena as they prepare to present Williams with the Daphne Akhurst trophy.

    The great Martina Navratilova, who has just watched Serena move past her mark of 18 Grand Slam titles to go second behind Steffi Graf in the all-time list, is also there to hand over the prize.

  20. Serena wins Australian Openpublished at 10:43 Greenwich Mean Time 31 January 2015

    While Williams goes over to her box to celebrate, Sharapova sits motionless in her chair. She's probably asking herself when Serena is going to pack up and retire...