Serena says vomiting during final helped to clinch Australian Open title

London: World number one Serena Williams admitted that vomiting during the final clash against her Russian opponent Maria Sharapova significantly helped her to clinch a sixth Australian Open title in Melbourne.

The American world number won the first grand slam of the year with a 6-3, 7-6(7-5) victory over her Russian opponent Sharapova in a pulsating thriller that lasted one hour and 50 minutes.

Reflecting on her performance, Serena said that she had got a really bad cold, adding that she ended up throwing up and that helped when she got everything out of her and cleared her chest out as she couldn't breathe a little bit, the BBC reported.

(Photo: AP)

Losing the first set, Sharapova showed glimpses of resilience as she fought back stoutly to fend off a championship point at 4-5 to force a tie-break.

Subsequently, the Russian further saved two championship points in the tie-break before Serena sealed the game by firing an 18th ace of the match.