Tokyo: Steffi Graf believes Serena Williams will race past her Open-era record of 22 major singles titles, and insists she will be happy for the American when it happens. Williams, who has won 21 Grand Slam singles events, was halted in her bid to tie the long-standing mark at the Australian Open in January when she was upset in the final by Graf's fellow German Angelique Kerber. But Graf expects Williams to come roaring back this year. "I'm very sure that she will (break the record)," Graf told AFP in an interview.

Steffi Graf. Pic/AFP