Well what an incredible women's final. What an incredible result. Many congratulations Angelique Kerber, Australian Open Champion 2016! Thank you for following along here on VAVEL. The recap of the match will be up shortly. This is Joshua Coase saying goodbye for now!
Kerber: "First of all I would like to say congratulations Serena. I would like to say thank you to the sponsors for making this tournament so special. I take my chance to be in the final and I am honored to be here, it's a dream come true."
Kerber will become the world number two and is the first German woman to become a Grand Slam singles champion this century!
Serena: "Thank you for tonight guys. Congratulations Angie, I really hope you enjoy this moment, you deserve it."
A few messages from the sponsors first before we hear from the players.
Standby for the presentation and ceremony!
Tears of joy from the German, she can't quite believe it!
An unbelievable final and result. Kerber played the match of her life and can call herself a Grand Slam Champion!
What an upset, what an incredible win! Angelique Kerber is the Australian Open Women's Singles Champion 2016!
Angelique Kerber Wins The Australian Open 2016 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
40-Ad: Championship Point Kerber
Deuce: The German attacks and punishes the second serve.
40-30: Once again Kerber is too far back in the court! Serena takes the ball on and hits the winner.
30-30: Stunning from both women! Serena finishes the point with a forehand cross court winner!
15-30: Ace down the middle from the American.
0-30: Kerber is two points away from the title once again...
0-15: The top seed nets the backhand.
Serena serving to stay in the match once again.
Unbelievable drama here on Rod Laver Arena.
Has the German's moment gone?..
4-6, 6-3, 4-5: Serena breaks back!
30-40: The American squanders the first.
15-40: Serena never says die. Cross court forehand winner. Two break back points.
15-30: That backhand is too aggressive, going beyond the baseline.
0-30: Great depth on the return from Serena.
0-15: The German loses the opening point.
4-6, 6-3, 3-5: Kerber, the seventh seed, playing in her first Grand Slam final will serve for the Championship!
40-30: The old faithful serve down the middle gets Serena out of trouble.
Two points away...
30-30: Incredible defense from the German once again, going toe to toe.
30-15: Brilliant play again from the defending champion, finishing the point with an overhead.
15-15: A quite brilliant backhand down the line winner from the American.
0-15: The 21 time Grand Slam champion opens up with a sixth double fault.
One hour and 53 minutes gone, Serena serving to stay in the match.
What an intriguing next few minutes we have coming up! Can she do it?
4-6, 6-3, 2-5: A hold to love. Kerber is one game away from becoming Australian Open champion!
40-0: The seventh seed hits her fifth ace of the match.
30-0: Both players trading blow for blow, the German comes out on top again!
15-0: Kerber wins the opening point.
4-6, 6-3, 2-4: Kerber breaks! What a moment, what a game!
40-Ad: Serena double faults yet again!
The most important game of the final right here...
Deuce: Another superbly timed drop shot winner from the seventh seed!
Ad-40: Game point for Serena.
Nine minutes encounting for this game.
Deuce: Kerber backs off and nets the backhand, she cannot believe she has done that at that moment.
40-Ad: Fourth double fault of the match brings up a fourth break point in this game.
Deuce: Superb drop shot winner from the German. The game continues!
Ad-40: Ace number six from the defending champion.
Deuce: An outrageous inside out backhand cross court winner from Serena snuffs out the chance, gutsy play.
40-Ad: Kerber will get another opportunity as she hits yet another forehand down the line pass!
Deuce: What a time to hit her fifth ace of the match. Break points saved.
30-40: Terrific rally, the longest of the match! The German's defense was outstanding, Serena too strong.
15-40: Which leads to two more break points to go ahead by a break in this final set once again!
15-30: Fortunate from Kerber as her attempted pass hits an oncoming Serena.
15-15: Forehand cross court winner from the top seed.
0-15: Serena catches that forehand late and puts it wide.
4-6, 6-3, 2-3: And another great serve to hold here. The German ahead in the final set once more.
40-30: Big first serve from the seventh seed.
67 points won each in the match...
30-30: Followed by another forehand cross court winner.
30-15: Forehand down the line winner from the defending champion.
30-0: Serena cannot stick the volley yet again.
15-0: Opening point on serve won by the German.
What a final this has been so far and we are still none the wiser as to who will win the title!
4-6, 6-3, 2-2: An ace to finish, we are all square in the final set.
40-15: Backhand winner down the line.
30-15: Screeches of come on from Serena as she rips a forehand winner. Intensity levels rising.
15-15: One-two punch combination from the American.
0-15: It is absolutely brilliant again from the German, superb cross court forehand pass.
Just 11 unforced errors in the match from Kerber, 30 from Serena...
4-6, 6-3, 1-2: Serena breaks back! That did not last long and we are on serve again here in the final set, what is going to happen next!?
30-40: Good first serve from Kerber.
15-40: Two break back points to reply instantly.
15-30; Timely ace out wide.
0-30: The American wins another point.
0-15: Serena looking to respond immediately.
4-6, 6-3, 0-2: Kerber breaks! The German has won eight out of the nine points at the start of this final set as she rips another forehand winner to secure the break!
0-40: Superb defense! Kerber not only get back the overhead but then manages to hit a forehand down the line pass!
0-30: Poor touch at the net with the American's volley, danger signs here.
0-15: Unforced error from the top seed.
4-6, 6-3, 0-1: Important start for the seventh seed, she holds serve to go ahead in the final set.
40-15: Stunning forehand cross court winner on the run from Serena.
40-0: Another excellent wrong footing first serve.
30-0: The top seed misses the return of serve.
15-0: Backhand down the line winner from the German.
Kerber to serve to get the final set underway!
A huge final set in prospect here. Will Serena complete the comeback and make it Grand Slam number 22? Or will Kerber defy the odds and capture her maiden Grand Slam title?
Both women have taken a comfort break, play will resume shortly.
So it will be a one set shootout to decide who will become the 2016 Australian Open Women's Singles champion!
Second Set Serena 6-3
40-15: Two set points for the 21 time Grand Slam champion...
30-15: The defending champion responds with an ace down the middle.
15-15: Third double fault from the American.
15-0: Serving for the second set, Serena starts the game well with a forehand winner.
4-6, 5-3: Terrific hold, finished with a forehand down the line winner.
40-30: Followed by a timely ace.
30-30: Great first serve out wide.
15-30: Crucial point won by the German.
0-30: Serena too strong on this occasion.
0-15: Kerber's forehand down the line just drops beyond the baseline.
4-6, 5-2: Good hold. Serena one game away from leveling up this women's singles final on Rod Laver Arena.
40-30: The American's backhand flies long.
40-15: Followed up with a second double fault.
40-0: Ace number two.
30-0: Serena with another forehand winner.
15-0: The extended rally this time is won by the defending champion.
4-6, 4-2: Important hold for Kerber, keeps her second set hopes alive.
40-30: Huge point and it is Serena who nets.
30-30: Serena rips the backhand up the line for a clean winner.
30-15: Strong first serve.
15-15: Much stronger point from the German.
0-15: Unforced error from Kerber.
4-6, 4-1: The six time Australian Open champion in charge of set number two.
40-30: The seventh seed misses the return of serve.
30-30: There we go, the first ace of the match from the American.
15-30: Excellent controlled aggression this time from Serena.
0-30: Footwork all wrong again from the defending champion as she misses the forehand.
0-15: Excellent forehand pass from the German.
4-6, 3-1: The defending champion makes sure she takes the third opportunity, forcing Kerber into another error.
30-40: Again the footwork lets Serena down. Two chances missed.
15-40: She saves the first with a forehand down the line winner.
0-40: Oh dear. Another double fault.
0-30: Forced into the error by the American.
0-15: Second double fault of the match from Kerber.
4-6, 2-1: The backhand cross court winner keeps Serena ahead in the second set.
40-30: One-two punch from the defending champion.
30-30: Danger signs here again for the top seed.
30-15: The seventh seed punishes the second serve.
30-0: Serena taking charge of this game. Yet to hit an ace in this final.
4-6, 1-1: Excellent hold, the German has only lost three points behind her first serve.
40-30: Fabulous. Nerves? What nerves? Kerber fires down an ace.
30-30: The drive volley keeps her in the game.
30-15: Another brilliant attempted pass to force the error from Serena.
15-15: Big serve from Kerber, the American cannot return it into play.
0-15: Superb cross court pass from Serena.
4-6, 1-0: Better start in that game for the defending champion.
40-15: Error from the seventh seed.
30-15: At last the top seed makes a drive volley.
15-15: Fortunate net cord for the American.
0-15: Serena nets the forehand.
What a story we have here! First set to the underdog in the women's singles final!
First Set Kerber 6-4
40-0: Incredible. Serena with another error. Three set points!
30-0: Great defense from the seventh seed.
15-0: The footwork lets the American down again as she nets the return of serve.
4-5: Serena holds. Kerber will have to serve for the first set, a tough task.
40-30: The forehand down the line goes long again from the American. 20 unforced errors now.
40-15: She wins this point more calmly.
30-15: Backhand winner from the American, but she could get penalized for hindrance here if she is not careful.
15-15: The grunting and noise is returning to Serena's game as she wins that key point.
0-15: Once again Serena puts the drive volley long!
3-5: What a story here after half an hour played! Kerber a game away from the opening set.
40-15: Serena's forehand misses again.
30-15: Another uncharacteristic error from the six time Australian Open champion.
15-15: Just four points won from 12 behind the second serve, not enough against the defending champion.
15-0: The cross court forehand is working like a dream for the German so far, taking time away from Serena.
3-4: Great depth on the ground strokes from Kerber as she breaks!
30-40: Serena goes for too much, break point once again!
30-30: Excellent defense from the German as expected but this time it is not enough to deny the 21 time Grand Slam champion.
15-30: Excellent shot from the seventh seed to wrong foot the top seed.
15-15: First double fault from Serena.
15-0: Error from the German.
3-3: Sealed with a forehand down the line return winner off the second serve. All square in this final!
40-Ad: Serena forces the error from the German. Break back point!
Deuce: Kerber pushed on serve for the first time.
40-30: A chance for the world number one, but she nets the forehand approach.
30-30: Forehand cross court winner from the American as she steps into the court.
30-15: Serena screams as she misses another forehand.
15-15 Cross court forehand winner from the German.
0-15: Point won by Serena.
2-3: Serena with a key hold under pressure having been down 0-30.
Ad-40: Surprise drop shot winner.
Deuce: Erratic error from the top seed.
40-30: Such aggression from Serena as she hits a brilliant forehand cross court winner.
30-30: And once again she roars as she hits a blistering backhand cross court.
15-30: First roar of "COME ON" from the American.
0-30: An erratic forehand goes wide from Serena.
0-15: Terrific second serve return, the seventh seed really went after it.
1-3: Longest rally of the match so far, calmly sealed with an overhead smash from Kerber. What a start here!
40-30: A very clean strike off the backhand side for Serena who slaps the return winner off the second serve.
40-15: A chance to consolidate the break.
30-15: Once again the forehand breaks down for the top seed.
15-15: Too much power on that forehand for the German to handle.
15-0: The American's volley drops long.
1-2: Serena goes long with the forehand and the seventh seed gets the first break!
15-40: Kerber has two break points!
15-30: Sensational defense from the Grand Slam final debutante! An outstanding cross court pass.
15-15: Brilliant backhand winner from Serena.
0-15: First point dropped on serve.
1-1: Really good hold from the German, let's see how she gets on from here.
40-30: Timely ace for the sevenh seed.
30-30: Backhand down the line error from Serena.
15-30: Double fault from the German.
15-15: The American is too strong from the baseline.
15-0: Serena narrowly misses the second serve return with the backhand.
1-0: Super start for the world number one, a comprehensive hold.
40-0: Kerber goes long with the backhand.
30-0: Unreturned serve.
15-0: Serena immediately takes an aggressive stance comeing forward to put away the volley.
We are all set for the 2016 Australian Open Women's Singles Final!
Kerber won the coin toss and has chosen to receive. Not a bad idea for her as it gives her a chance to settle in and ease her nerves. Also note that Serena has dropped her opening service game in a couple of matches this fortnight. We shall see what happens...
Not long to go now until the final gets underway, not many can see past Serena defending her crown on Rod Laver Arena today!
So from match point down in the 1st round to her first Grand Slam final, it has been quite a fortnight for Kerber, can the German cause the upset and capture the crown at Melbourne Park?
Welcome back to live coverage of the Australian Open Women's Singles Final! My name is Joshua Coase, and I am happy to be bringing you point-by-point coverage of this Grand Slam final between Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber. Follow it here on VAVEL.
Read a more comprehensive final preview here by Jake Best.
Her semifinal showdown was against first-time Grand Slam semifinalist Johanna Konta. The Brit took advantage of her draw and pulled off some upsets of her own to fire her way to the semis. However, she fell just short, falling in straights to Kerber as the German clinched her first ever Grand Slam finals appearance.
After racing past countrywoman Annika Beck in the fourth round, it was the blockbuster showdown we were all waiting for between herself and Victoria Azarenka. Coming into that match, Azarenka was on fire having won the Brisbane International over Kerber, and her toughest win leading up to the quarterfinal was against Barbora Strycova. The Belarusian was stunned as the German saved three set points in the second set to comeback and win the match.
Kerber's Road To The Final: To think the German is in the final after nearly getting knocked out in the first round is an absolute shocker. She saved match point against Misaki Doi in her opener and since then, has pulled off some shockers. After the testing opening round match, it was a more straightforward win against Alexandra Dulgheru in the second round, and then dominated Madison Brengle.
Her final match before the final was against world number four Agnieszka Radwanska. Serena got out to a flying start, steamrolling her way to a bagel in the opening set. Radwanska hung in there in the second but was no match in the end, winning 6-0, 6-4.
Serena's quarterfinal opponent was Maria Sharapova, an opponent who she had beaten 17 straight times heading into their showdown. With the Russian getting an early break, it was Serena domination from then on out. After Sharapova's 2-0 lead, the American won 12 of the final 15 games, winning 6-4, 6-1 over the Russian.
Serena's Road To The Final: The 21-time Grand Slam champion had a testing opening round against hard-hitting Italian Camila Giorgi, dropping nine games 6-4, 7-5. After that, it was all cruise control for the American, dropping three, two, and three games against Su-Wei Hsieh, Daria Kasatkina, and Margarita Gasparyan respectively.
Kerber's shot at history: Kerber is the first Grand Slam finalist from Germany to reach a Grand Slam final since 2013. The last Grand Slam finalist from Germany was Sabine Lisicki. Lisicki was a Wimbledon finalist, losing to Marion Bartoli in the final. It has been a long time coming for Germany. It's been nearly 17 years since their last Grand Slam win in the women's game; it came from Steffi Graf in 1999, when she won her 22nd and final Grand Slam at the French Open
Serena is on six Australian Open titles, the most in the Open Era. Her six Aussie Open titles are second all-time. She's tied with Nancye Wynne on six with Margaret Court well ahead of them on 11. A win would put Serena on seven Aussie Open titles, three ahead of Court, Graf, and Evonne Goolagong for most titles Down Under in the Open Era and would put her co-second for most titles in Melbourne all-time.
Serena's shot at history: For Serena Williams, she has a shot to tie Steffi Graf at 22 majors. Graf has 22 majors, the most in the Open Era. Margaret Court has the most majors all-time at 24. A win would tie the world number one with Graf and put her just two behind Court. Also, a win would give her a shot at the Grand Slam once again. Last year, Serena fell just short of the Grand Slam last season, losing to Roberta Vinci in the US Open semifinals.
Welcome to live coverage of the Australian Open Women's Singles Final! My name is Joshua Coase, and I am happy to be bringing you point-by-point coverage of this Grand Slam final between Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber. Follow it here on VAVEL. From now until the match begins at 3:30 AM ET, news and notes will be above to get you up to speed. Be sure to return at match time for point by point updates!