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
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Image source, Getty ImagesThe grin is still stuck to Serena's face as she shakes hands with her opponent. Sharapova appears gracious in defeat, despite the obvious disappointment. But her nightmare against Serena continues - that is her 16th straight defeat against the world number one.
Serena Williams is a picture of unbridled joy, jumping up and down on Rod Laver Arena like an excited Australian kangaroo. A broad grin breaks out across the American's face as she goes to the net...
Image source, Getty ImagesSerena reloads after that disappointment of the let. And guess what? She thunders down an ace to win.
Serena Williams win her sixth Australian Open title!
Image source, Getty ImagesChampionship point number three for Serena though - on her serve. She thinks she's got it with an ace. But the umpire calls let. Serena cannot believe it...
Sharapova saves herself with a brilliant deep second serve. Serena returns it but Sharapova thunders a forehand into the corner. Championship point number two saved.
Image source, Getty ImagesHow important could that break be for Sharapova? It won't be if she doesn't hold. And she doesn't. Championship point....
Sharapova screams 'come on' as she wins a point off Williams's serve as the American goes wide again with a forehand. Back on serve.
Chance for Serena to see daylight once again. The American serves, a rally ending in Sharapova finding the net with a forehand return.
Sharapova looked in trouble. Her first serve hits the net, but she wins a point off the second serve. Williams goes for a cross-court winner, but gets too much on it and it goes wide.
Sharapova looks to the floor as Williams closes in. She must hold. First serve - into the net. Second serve - it's good. Williams returns cross court, leaving Sharapova stretching. The ball flies over the net, but Serena can't respond as she finds the tape.
Williams's first serve goes into the net, but a deep forehand after the second, sees Sharapova send the ball low into the net.
Typical response from Williams after losing the first break. Another thumping ace from the American - her 17th of the match.
Sharapova serves, but a stunning return from the American takes her 2-1 ahead.
Sharapova to serve but Serena breaks back. Williams returns a serve with aplomb, Sharapova hitting the tape.
A crunching forehand winner down the line from Sharapova from Williams's serve out wide.
Sharapova does indeed stay in the match. The Russian holds to love - tie-break time.
Serena might have the greatest serve going, but now it is Sharapova's turn to dazzle with ball in hand. She's serving to stay in the match for the second time...
John Lloyd
1977 Australian Open runner-up on BBC Two
"You talk about great shots in women's tennis, but Serena Williams's serve is by far the greatest we have seen. It's so much better than anyone else's we have ever seen."
Image source, Getty ImagesAnd that vital hold for the Russian means we have at least two more games in this match. But I suspect the Melbourne crowd are hoping it will go a little longer than that. So too will Sharapova.
She gives herself a chance, plucking out a wonderful backhand at the baseline to force deuce. But Williams, as she has done so many times, produces a wonderful second serve to force Sharapova into an error, then hammers down an ace.
Petra:, external Hats off to Maria Sharapova. She's doing everything she can. What a fighter.
Dan Church:, external Can't take my eyes of this Women's Australian Open final between Williams and Sharapova. The display on show is outstanding.