Serena dominant

MELBOURNE – New world number one Serena Williams has warned rivals she is ready to dominate women’s tennis again after her crushing Australian Open win over Dinara Safina, provided she can stay focused.

Bursting with confidence after thrashing Russia’s Safina 6-0, 6-3 in Saturday’s final to win her fourth Australian title and 10th Grand Slam, Williams said she was capable of winning every tournament she entered.
The American, who is also the reigning US Open champion, raised the possibility of achieving a second ‘Serena Slam’ and said she aimed to hang onto the top ranking.
‘I’m glad to be number one again and hopefully I can hold onto it this time,’ the 27-year-old said.
Williams initially won the top ranking in July 2002 and held it for 57 weeks before losing it then briefly reclaiming it last year before Serb Jelena Jankovic took it away again.
Safina’s run to the Australian Open final means she becomes the new world number two.
But such was Williams’ superiority over the player who is, on paper, her closest rival, that the Russian likened herself to a ball boy after the final.
‘I definitely think it was one of my most dominant performances, especially considering it was a final,’ Williams said after winning the decider in just 59 minutes. ‘I was able rto just lift thy game in the final.’
She said her form could result in a repeat of the ‘Serena Slam’, when she held all four majors simultaneously in 2002-03.
– Nampa-AFP