Australian Open 2019: Serena Williams opens her bid for a historic Slam record with a crushing win

In a display of pure dominance at Melbourne Park, Serena Williams overwhelmed Tatjana Maria 6-0, 6-2 in just 49 minutes, proving exactly why she is the heavy favorite to claim her eighth Australian title.
ಮೆಲ್ಬೊರ್ನ್ ಪಾರ್ಕ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ತನ್ನ ಪ್ರತಿಸ್ಪರ್ಧಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಅಸಭ್ಯವಾದ ಮುನ್ಸೂಚನೆಯಿಂದ, ಸೆರೆನಾ ವಿಲಿಯಮ್ಸ್ ಕೇವಲ 49 ನಿಮಿಷಗಳನ್ನು ತತ್ಜಾನಾ ಮಾರಿಯಾವನ್ನು 6-0, 6-2 ಅಂತರದಿಂದ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡರು, ಬುಕ್ಕಿಗಳ ಪೈಕಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಸ್ಥಾನಮಾನವನ್ನು ಎಂಟನೇ ಆಸ್ಟ್ರೇಲಿಯನ್ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯಲು ಬಯಸಿದ್ದರು.ಸೆರೆನಾ ವಿಲಿಯಮ್ಸ್ ಆಸ್ಟ್ರೇಲಿಯಾ ಓಪನ್ ಪಂದ್ಯಾವಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಂಗಳವಾರ ಆರಂಭವಾದ ಜರ್ಮನಿಯ ಟಾಟ್ಜಾನಾ ಮಾರಿಯಾವನ್ನು ನೇರ ಸೆಟ್ಗಳಿಂದ ನಾಶಪಡಿಸುವುದರೊಂದಿಗೆ 24 ನೇ ಗ್ರ್ಯಾಂಡ್ ಸ್ಲ್ಯಾಮ್ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಗಾಗಿ ದಾಖಲೆ-ಸಮತೋಲನಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ತನ್ನ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾಪವನ್ನು ಮುಂದೂಡಿದರು.

Serena Williams left no doubt about her form at Melbourne Park, dispatching Maria in a swift 49-minute match (6-0, 6-2), reaffirming her position as the frontrunner for the trophy.

At 37 years old, Serena is aiming to equal Margaret Court's legendary 24 singles Grand Slam titles, a milestone she is pursuing on Australian soil just two years after winning her 23rd major following the birth of her child.

\"It feels incredibly strange to be playing here again,\" Serena remarked, \"considering the last time I was at this tournament, I was pregnant.\"

\"I have so many wonderful memories of winning here; it was truly the peak of my career, so coming back feels right,\" she added. This event is her first competitive appearance since falling to Naomi Osaka in the US Open final last September.

The crowd gave her a warm welcome as she entered the court, and the applause intensified when she revealed her competition gear—a coordinated green ensemble with leggings—by removing her dark training coat.

While she remained focused and quiet in her demeanor, the umpire had to step in to establish order amidst the enthusiastic noise from the spectators before the match could begin.

Once the game was underway, Serena immediately took control, completely neutralizing the efforts of the 16th seed of the current season.

She broke her opponent's serve almost immediately, sweeping the first set 6-0 in a mere 18 minutes, leaving Maria with no answer to her power.

Although she gave her opponent a bit more breathing room in the second set, Maria's resistance was short-lived, and she eventually succumbed to the inevitable. Looking ahead to the second round, where she will face either Eugenie Bouchard or Peng Shuai, Serena expressed her satisfaction with the win and her eagerness for the next match.

With her 2017 victory, Serena surpassed Steffi Graf's 22 majors, and she is now just two titles away from reaching the 24-mark held by Margaret Court, whose tally includes 13 titles won before the 'Open Era' began in 1968.

The defeat was particularly tough for Maria, who lives near Serena in Palm Beach, Florida; the German player left the court in tears after the crushing loss.

Serena mentioned she was happy with her performance and is looking forward to her next encounter in the second round against either Peng Shuai or Eugenie Bouchard.

By winning her 23rd major in 2017, Serena moved past Steffi Graf's record of 22. She is now chasing Margaret Court's 24 titles, noting that Court's record includes several wins from the pre-1968 era.