Serena Williams won her first title since 2017 with a 6-3 6-4 victory over fellow American Jessica Pegula in the ASB Classic final.
After winning the 2017 Australian Open pregnant, Williams has reached six finals, including four at Grand Slams, but only now in Auckland did the 23-time major champion manage to go all the way.
The world No.82 Pegula was the first to take the lead in the match, but the top-seeded Williams recovered from 1-3 by winning five games in a row to take the opening set. Early in the second set, Williams broke her unseeded opponent’s serve and without facing a break point herself, Williams capitalized on the initial lead to earn a victory.
After the trophy ceremony, where Serena was accompanied by her adorable daughter Olympia, the WTA mom returned to the court, playing the doubles final together with good friend Caroline Wozniacki. The pair lost to Asia Muhammad and Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-4.
All her Auckland prize money Serena will donate to Australian bushfire relief!
This is Williams’ 73rd title and the most impressive fact is that she’s now been crowned a champion in each of the last four decades, starting from 1999.
Congrats to the GOAT, Serena Williams, on her Auckland win. A well deserved win, indeed. My girl’s still in the top 10 after all these years. Simply ageless and amazing! Congrats also to Ms. Townsend and Ms. Muhammed on winning the doubles title. I just knew Serena would win both, but all is well because she’s looking very good/fit for the upcoming AO.