Slammin' Serena Leaves Safina Feeling Like a Ballboy in Aussie Open Final

Serena Williams may have just redefined the word "domination" as far as tournament finals go. In an absolute thrashing, Serena routed Dinara Safina 6-0, 6-3 Saturday to win the Australian Open -- her 10th career Grand Slam title. With the victory, she returns to the No. 1 ranking, and we might as well just stamp her name on Melbourne Park for now. After all, she's won four out of the last seven women's championships there.

Safina was simply overwhelmed from the start. She double-faulted three times in the first game -- including on break point -- and Williams finished the first set off in a smoking 22 minutes. Serena had 23 winners and just seven unforced errors overall, winning more than twice as many points as her 22-year-old opponent.

"I didn't even spend one hour on the court," said Safina as she apologized to the crowd. "Serena played just too good - I was just a ballboy out there today." It was the most lopsided Australian Open women's final since 1962 (other than matches that ended early due to illness or injury).

So, yeah, it's not going to take much for Federer and Nadal to top this one.

Serena faced questions at the end of 2008 due to nagging injuries that forced her to retire from a few tourneys. But following this win and her U.S. Open performance last year, there's no doubt which Williams is on top of the tennis world again.

Capping off a dazzling week in which she became the all-time leading money winner in women's sports, Williams is now just the fifth woman ever to win four or more Australian titles.

Serena Williams Snapshots

Serena Williams of the United States speaks during the awarding ceremony after beating Russia's Dinara Safina, right, in the Women's singles final match against at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Serena Williams of the United States of America celebrates winning a point in her women's final match against Dinara Safina of Russia during day thirteen of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Serena Williams of the United States of America celebrates after winning her women's final match against Dinara Safina of Russia during day thirteen of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Serena Williams of the United States of America celebrates after winning her women's final match against Dinara Safina of Russia during day thirteen of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Serena Williams of the United States of America celebrates after winning her women's final match against Dinara Safina of Russia during day thirteen of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams

Getty Images

Serena Williams of the United States, left, holds the trophy next to runner-up Russia's Dinara Safina during the awarding ceremony after the Women's singles final match against at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

1-31-2009 @ 9:05AM

Arthur Isaiac said...

Great job Serena!! Now just watch those past injuries and let them heal up a bit more and stick to that that fine regime you have. YEA!

1-31-2009 @ 11:56AM

chrv40 said...

serena played great if she keeps playing like this she will be hard to beat great job keep it up

1-31-2009 @ 12:17PM

Kevin said...

Already, Serena Williams is probably the second best female tennis player in Open tennis history. I hope she hangs in there to see if she can approach Martina Navratilova's records. Congratulations Ms. Williams!

1-31-2009 @ 1:58PM

savinbiller said...

2nd Best??? She's got a long way to go for that honor. Besides Martina there is Graff and Evert and Billie Jean.

1-31-2009 @ 2:04PM

sliwa60123 said...

although a great achievement, in response to kevin, Serena is not the second best player in open tennis history. she has won ten( 4 of them being australian)and 1 french. she has a ways to go before reaching the level of success of martina, chris evert, steffi graf and margaret court. margaret has won more singles, chris evert won a grand slam 14 years in a row and has the highest winning % in all of tennis. martina has most wimbledons and over all grand slams championships(including doubles) and steffi won a true grand slam.

1-31-2009 @ 2:31PM

Sorry guys, you are incorrect. I said that Martina is the greatest and she is. And, to be honest, I think you might make an argument that Steffi is #2, but I just do not agree. Chris, Margaret and Billie Jean? NO WAY.

1-31-2009 @ 3:18PM

kbrc81 said...

Say what you want folks..but Serena Williams is no joke!

1-31-2009 @ 4:05PM

ptrgamb said...

11 of Margaret Court's Grand Slams were Australian wins, back in the day when most of the rest of the world's best players did not compete there.

1-31-2009 @ 4:34PM

murph said...

For all her talent, for all the skill she possesses for all the grand slams she has and will scoop up over the remainder of her career. Serena Williams cant even be put in the same category as the other great champions mentioned here. Above all else when you think of those great women you think of one word Class. They had it and she doesn’t.. The only thing that outshines this woman’s talents is the complete lack of respect she has for any opponent she beats. and the only thing that outshines that supernova of an ego is ppor sportsmanship shown when she looses. Because of course it’s never that anyone could have possibly ever outplayed her!

1-31-2009 @ 4:39PM

1-31-2009 @ 7:57PM

universalic200 said...

apparently you dont watch her much..give the girl credit..coming from where she grew up..i think she acts very well and mature..stop being a hater

1-31-2009 @ 5:50PM

Gina said...

I totally agree with Murph. The ego of Serena is one of the most unattractive aspects of this player. She cannot or will not ever give credit to any of her opponents. She acts as though they are no talent hacks. Yet her opponent reached that round and has achieved a ranking that is at times higher than her own. I was very happy with both sisters when they arrived on the tour. My feelings have changed because of their attitudes exhibited in interviews. At least Venus has began to give some credit where due to her opponents. Serena needs to learn some graciousness.

1-31-2009 @ 6:10PM

flert6071 said...

Serena always gives credit to her opponents. Just last nite/this morning she gave credit to Safina and recognized how talented she is and that she was sure Safina would be back because she works so hard and hits even harder. So she does exhibit class. She also shows enthusiasm for every win. So if that makes her seem classless, then maybe you guys want her to just take the award and have no remarks.

1-31-2009 @ 6:26PM

jfkenn2002 said...

Class has nothing to do with talent and accomplishments. They are separate and must be treated thusly. John Mcenroe was tasteless and he was a great player. Captriati cussed like a drunk and she was once the face of women's tennis. Dimaggio was a womanizer and Babe Ruth was a drunk but they are in Baseball's Hall of Fame. If you have the numbers that dictate your dominance,then you should be recognized accordingly. All added superfluous criterias make the standards unclear. Serena beat her like she stole something. Should serena have said good match. Would that be class or hypocrisy!

1-31-2009 @ 6:41PM

emi said...

I really don't like Serena, yes she is a good player. But she dresses really not appropriate for tennis. Big hoop earrings? Who wears that to play a tennis game. I know, she is a great player but she's dresses very inappropriately.

1-31-2009 @ 8:02PM

this is what you call crying over spilled milk..no disrespect..but dang near all the women wear little skirts..Serena just adds a little twist and style so as not to be like the rest..its called style not unappropriate..if she was the only one in little skirts I can see your argument but she isnt..far as the earings go..are you kidding me? They are EARRINGS..cmon and if the judges dont have a problem with them noone else should..STYLE is all it is..all in regulations..so whats the problem??

1-31-2009 @ 7:44PM

glownaturelle said...

Is she the one that grunts real loud when she hits the ball?

1-31-2009 @ 9:02PM

Darrell said...

As far as Serena being the second or third greatest, she is by far. Steffi, Martina, Chris, Monica etc with due respect lived and died for tennis, Serena on the other hand as well as Venus have done it on their own terms. They do other things, disappear from time to time, both could have many more grand slams or they could have burned out, they have done it their way and that could be the reason they are still around and one reason they deserve to be admired.

1-31-2009 @ 10:22PM

EPHRAIM said...

Oh so now its class and not talent right?
So the williams sisters can play no doubt about that. So they knocked that argument down. So now its their clothing or their lack of class and they grunt to much. Why dont you people say what this really is. Its because they are black so you stupid folks try to find something else. so just say it. They are black they are beating all of your little classy beauty queens and you cant stand that.So just say it
Oh how i just love it when the Williams sisters trash all your little beauty queens who grace the magazine cover,they have high rankings,never win a slam and they seem to crawl under a bench when it comes to delivering at Grand Slam time

So i say go Williams girls keep trashing them at grand slam time

1-31-2009 @ 11:53PM

I came back here because I knew someone would toss out the “RACE CARD” I just wanted to see how long it took.. Ephriam you’re a complete moron. To even think my comments were about race shows you to be narrow minded. And the comments you made the raciest you truly are! Arthur Ash ,James Blake, Malivi Washington, Althea Gibson and the Peters sisters . Men and women who all play or played with class all people who I would be proud to have any of my kids look up to. This isn’t about race its about sportsmanship. And if Serina did show some after this match Great! maybe she’s growing up

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