MELBOURNE, Australia -- Two weeks ago, Angelique Kerber came within one point of exiting the Australian Open in the opening round. Six matches later, she can call herself a Grand Slam champion.
The No. 7 German took advantage of a noticeably tense Serena Williams on Saturday, triumphing 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to win her first major title and thwarting the American's bid to match Steffi Graf's record of 22 major wins.
It wasn't long ago that Kerber was toiling in mediocrity. In 2011, she lost 11 consecutive first-round matches, but her vision was clear from the beginning of this tournament -- that no matter what, she'd never let the pressure of a big moment get to her again.