Serena's tears for sisterCarly Crawford

January 28, 2007 12:00am
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COMEBACK queen Serena Williams destroyed Russian favourite Maria Sharapova to claim the Australian Open title yesterday in an emotional win set to silence her critics.

The American champion wept as she dedicated her stunning straight-sets victory to her late sister Yetunde Price, who was shot dead in 2003.
"She's always believed in me," Williams said.

Holding the cup aloft, she cried as she paid tribute to the half-sister slain in a Los Angeles drive-by shooting.

"I would like to dedicate this win to Yetunde. She is not here, I love her so much," Williams said.

"A couple of days ago, I said if I won this, it is going to be for you, so thank you."

Yetunde, a nurse, had been a personal adviser to Serena and sister Venus as they travelled the world on the professional tennis tour.

She was gunned down near a suspected drug house in the crime-plagued suburb of Compton, where the family once lived.

The tragedy has stalked Williams ever since.

Her proud mother Oracene Price, watching from the player's box, was touched by the surprise dedication.

"I didn't know she was going to make me cry like that. But that's life . . . sorry," Ms Price said, dabbing a tear with her finger behind dark glasses.

"That really affected Serena a lot for a long time. Who wants to go play after something like that? Today was a special moment."

Williams, whose interests outside tennis include acting and fashion designing, has endured a barrage of criticism in recent years from those questioning her commitment to the sport.

She entered the tournament ranked 81 in the world and, at odds of $26, was a long shot for the title.

Yesterday, she savoured her 6-1, 6-2 annihilation of top seed Sharapova in 63 minutes.