Williams takes 4th Australian Open title

Serena Wiliams of the US holds the winners trophy after her game against Dinara Safina of Russia in their women's tennis finals match on day 13 of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 31, 2009. Serena Williams thrashed Russia's Dinara Safina 6-0, 6-3 to win her fourth Australian Open title, bringing her total Grand Slam tally to 10 in one of the most one-sided deciders ever. AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)Serena Williams claimed her fourth Australian Open title on Saturday, defeating Russia's Dinara Safina in one of the most lop-sided finals in the tournament's history.

Williams used to her considerable experience to brush off Safina's nervous challenge, with her 6-0, 6-3 victory coming in under and hour.

The victory also saw Williams take the world number one ranking, and achieve her 10th grand slam title. Safina's performance was good enough to earn her the world number two ranking.

 The Russian was gracious in defeat, telling the crowd at the Rod Laver Arena: “I was just a ball boy on the court.”  

Williams, meanwhile, gave credit to her sister Venus for helping tune her game for the Australian Open final.

“The first week was tough but we got through it,” Williams said. “I was playing lazy tennis in the beginning and was doubting myself, [but] I think the doubles really helped me out this fortnight.”