Melbourne: Serena Williams insists she is blocking out all thoughts of equalling Steffi Graf's Grand Slam record as she prepares to face Germany's Angelique Kerber in the Australian Open final.
<img title="Serena Williams celebrates a point against Agnieszka Radwanska in the Australian Open semis yesterday. Pic/AFP" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2016/jan/29Serena-Williams-1.jpg" alt="Serena Williams celebrates a point against Agnieszka Radwanska in the Australian Open semis yesterday. Pic/AFP" /> Serena Williams celebrates a point against Agnieszka Radwanska in the Australian Open semis yesterday. Pic/AFP
Victory against Kerber would draw Williams level with Graf's Open-era best 22 major titles while taking her own tally of Melbourne triumphs to five. She is currently third in the all-time list after moving three clear of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova's 18 but she remains short of Australian Margaret Court, who is out in front on 24.
Making history has not always come easily to Williams, who last year crumbled when two wins away from the calendar grand slam, which would have been a first since Graf's in 1988.
Now on the brink of matching Graf again, Williams is desperate to keep focus. "I definitely block it out," Williams said. "I was one off last year too. If I don't win on Saturday, I'll still be one off. It took me forever to get to 18. I was so stressed out. I don't want to relive that at all."
Williams threatened to embarrass her semi-final opponent Agnieszka Radwanska yesterday, annihilating the Pole 6-0 in a first set that took just 20 minutes.
Sublime Serena The form of the American, who won 6-0, 6-4 and is yet to drop a set so far, has fed the suspicion she is unstoppable in Saturday's final.
"I think everything is stoppable at some point, I guess," Williams said.
"She (Kerber) took out a really tough opponent in Victoria (Azarenka). You can't underestimate Kerber. She's beaten me before, too, and pretty good. I know that she brings a lot to the game.
"Her being a lefty definitely helps out as well. I haven't played any lefties yet. But we'll see. I think if I do play her, it will be a really good match. It definitely won't be easy."
Kerber has beaten Williams once, in Cincinnati in 2012, but she has lost all of their other five meetings without winning a set.

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Serena Williams wants to block out Steffi Graf milestone talk as the World No 1 thumps Radwanska to surge into her 26th Grand Slam final and zero in on 7th Aus Open title

Want to stay stress-free: Serena Williams on Aus Open final

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Home / Sports / Other Sports / Article / Want to stay stress-free: Serena Williams on Aus Open final

Want to stay stress-free: Serena Williams on Aus Open final

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