MELBOURNE, Jan 29 - Former world number one Serena
Williams overcame a painful rib injury to win the Australian
Open women's singles title on Saturday when she beat fellow
American Lindsay Davenport 2-6 6-3 6-0 in the final.
Williams, who won the title two years ago to complete a
sweep of the four grand slam tournaments, appeared to be in
serious trouble after losing the first four games of the match
with the injury restricting her ability to move and serve at
full speed.
But the 23-year-old, who saved three match points in her
semi-final win over Maria Sharapova, took an injury break at 4-1
down and suddenly took control of the match when she returned,
racing through the final two sets to capture her seventh grand
slam crown.
Davenport, 28, was appearing in her first grand slam final
since she won the Australian Open in 2000.