Melbourne, Jan 30 (DPA) Serena Williams Saturday overcame a fighting Justine Henin 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to claim her fifth Australian Open title.
The laboured victory marked the 12th Grand Slam for the American and her first in an even-numbered year at Melbourne Park after title success in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009.
Henin, the 2004 champion, was playing in only her second event since reversing a 2008 retirement which lasted 20 months.
Williams also became the first women’s champion to successfully defend her title since Jennifer Capriati in 2002, improving to 8-6 over Henin.
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