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Defending champion and top seed Serena Williams powered to her fifth Australian Open title and 12th Grand Slam when she beat Justine Henin 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 on Saturday.
Williams took a tight first set, but then had to hold off a charging Henin to deny the Belgian a fairytale ending to her tennis comeback in a thrilling final on Rod Laver Arena.
The American claimed her 12th Grand Slam with the win, putting her alongside fellow American Billie Jean King on the list of all time major winners.
The world number one looked in complete control when she led 6-4 and had a break point on Henin's serve in the second set to make it 4-3 with her serve to come.
But the unseeded Belgian then went on her incredible rampage to win the second set and take an early advantage in the third, before Williams stormed back.
When the Belgian took the first game of the third set and had Williams at 15-40 on serve it looked as though her comeback would be complete.
But Williams showed her true championship qualities to dig in and finish stronger than an increasingly tired Henin.
"She's a real champion," said Henin.
In the Men’s Doubles, American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan won their fourth Australian Open doubles title, beating Canada's Daniel Nestor and Serbia's Nenad Zimonjic 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3.
On Sunday the Men’s final will be played between Roger Federer (1) and Andy Murray (5).
