Djokovic, Williams Take Their Respective Crowns at the Australian Open

At the culmination of the Grand Slam down under, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams faced Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova, respectively.  The second week of the year’s first Grand Slam saw spectacular tennis highlighted by serving, volleying, and of course, destroyed racquets.

Murray fell short once again, becoming a four-time runner up in Melbourne.  Djokovic, the champion, found himself claiming his fifth Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.  Establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with, Djokovic has won four of the last five years in Australia.  Djokovic’s 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-0 victory gave him his eighth Grand Slam trophy of his illustrious career.  Both players hope to return to the world stage at Roland Garros in May.

American, Serena William claimed the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup with her 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) win over Maria Sharapova.  Williams’ recent dominance over Sharapova has been the story between these two players.  But unlike the matches of the past, this match had Williams’ vomiting, literally, at the sight of her opponent.  During the first set, Williams made use of a twelve-minute roof-closing break in Rod Laver Arena to relieve her illness.  Regarding her illness after the match, Williams stated, “I ended up throwing up. I think that helped when I got everything out of me and cleared my chest out because I couldn’t breathe a little bit.”  Regardless of her apparent ailment, Williams was able to conquer her opponent in two sets.

As the year’s first Grand Slam comes to an end, players and fans look forward to another exciting event in France.  Nadal seeks to claim his sixth consecutive title on the clay courts at Roland Garros.  Sharapova hopes to reclaim her title in France.  The upcoming French Open will provide yet another exciting event for the fans.