Live Blog: Serena Williams Is the Australian Open Champion

Tap here to follow all the live updates.

Serena Williams Is The 2017 Australian Open Champion

Serena Williams beat her elder sister Venus 6-4 6-4 in the final to win her 23rd grand slam singles title and become the most successful tennis player in the open era.

The 35-year-old American's victory gave her a seventh Melbourne Park crown and sent her clear of Germany's Steffi Graf at the top of the list of most prolific grand slam winners since the game turned professional in 1968.

The second seed overcame a stuttering serve to take a topsy turvy opening set and one break of 36-year-old Venus's serve proved enough to claim the second after 82 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

The victory ensured Serena, who hit 10 aces and 27 winners, would regain the world number one ranking from Germany's Angelique Kerber on Monday.

Serena Serving for the Title

Possibly the best(longest?) rally of the match and Venus Williams forces Serena to make an error. The ball is trapped by the net on its way back.

The crowd is on their feet.

40-30 and there is silence. Serena has her first match point.

Serena has her 23rd Grand Slam title. Her 7th Australian Open crowd. The scoreline reads 6-4, 6-4.

A poignant moment at the net follows, the sisters hug for a long long time.

Venus Holds

There is still fight left in the oldest player left at the Australian Open and Serena isn't getting any points for gifts.

A long rally ends with Serena hitting wide and this match is going on a little longer.

Serena Williams Holds to Love

Serena Champion Williams is in sight, as much as is the trophy near her on the Rod Laver Arena.

Venus Williams will now serve to stay in the match

6-4, 5-3 to Serena.

Even Stevens in the Second

Serena not on top of her game, but doing just enough to stay close to her sisters score.

A beautiful backhand winner down the line though shows us glimpses of the champion. But from the other end, Venus fires off an ace.

A few breaks of serve squandered but a beauty of a return and Serena has another break. Another step closer to her 23rd Grand Slam title.

6-4, 4-3 to Serena Williams

#Venus down a break in the 2nd set #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/LVDnZXammu

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2017