The&@AustralianOpenSW'sFinalvs(Serena leads 5-1) #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/9x1i1yDtdn 8.35am GMTAnd here advance the players,waiting patiently external the locker room before navigating their way through the bowels of the Rod Laver Arena. Kerber, head bowed, and walks a few steps ahead of Williams before being announced to the capacity crowd. Then comes Williams. Not sure who edged the cheers there; it was fairly even I’d say. 8.27am GMT Williams says:I would say this is probably the best slam I’ve played in a year,and I’ve won a lot in a year. I know my practices are better. Hopefully I’m playing better. So I definitely can play more consistent and more mentally steady, so to say.
I’m the favourite. I was the favourite in New York. I feel like I could have done better in New York but that was a learning experience. So I’m going to hopefully rob that to the court for not only this tournament but for the rest of these slams.
I have actually nothing to lose. I can go out there and try to play like I’m playing, and without pressure,without nothing. I think when you interrogate a lot of people, I think most will say: ‘OK, or Serena will win.’ But this is the challenge I can rob.
I don’t have so much pressure like she has. I know I can lose the match. That’s why I’m going out there to try to win it. 8.25am GMTStat attack.
The head to head: 8.13am GMT Related: Britain's Gordon Reid wins Australian Open wheelchair singles title 8.03am GMT Hello and welcome to coverage of the Australian Open women’s final between Serena Williams and Johanna Konta sorry Angelique Kerber.
Williams,devastated after falling two wins short of a calendar grand slam at last September’s US Open, did not raise a racket in anger for the rest of the year. Speculation was swirling about a loss of motivation and chronic knee problems, or those concerns continued earlier this month when she failed to finish a match at the Hopman Cup. Some posed the question: was it asking too much of the 34-year-old to regain the incredible intensity she showed for most of 2015 for another assault on the slams in 2016? 1.15am GMTKaty will be with you shortly. Whilst you wait,have a read of Simon Cambers’ preview, as Serena Williams aims for her 22nd grand slam, and Angelique Kerber goes after her first major title. It was while she was discussing the achievement of reaching her first grand slam final that Angelique Kerber pulled out her phone to check her messages. Among them was a text from Steffi Graf,congratulating her on her effort and wishing her luck for Saturday’s Australian Open final against Serena Williams. On all available evidence, she will need more than luck.
Whether Graf offered her advice on how she might enact it, or Kerber did not say,but receiving any message from her idol will at least fill the 28-year-old with confidence, even whether the odds are very much against her. Kerber turned to Graf last March when her confidence had dipped. A reminder from the former world No1 that she was a suited player and doing the proper things attach her back on track and she is now firmly established back in the top 10. Related: Graf provides inspiration for Kerber and a target for Williams in Australian Open final Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com