( CNN ) She may have been ill but that did n't stop Serena Williams from claiming a 19th grand slam title Saturday . The world No . 1 beat second-ranked Maria Sharapova 6-3 7-6 ( 5 ) in the Australian Open final to move into sole possession of second place in grand slams won in the Open Era behind Steffi Graf 's 22 . And on this form , matching Graf -- or surpassing the German -- should n't be discounted even if Williams turns 34 in September . `` I would love to get to 22 , '' Williams told reporters . `` But I have to get to 20 first and then I have to get to 21 . There 's so many wonderful young players coming up , so it will be a very big task . '' The American defeated her Russian rival for the 16th straight time , although Sharapova ensured it was a gripping contest from start to finish . Indeed the finale between two of the most recognizable athletes in the world produced some riveting rallies , which has n't always been the case when they 've played due to Williams ' superiority . `` It 's frustrating to be the one going home with the small trophy , '' Sharapova told reporters . `` But I do love the battle . `` I love high-quality tennis . I love being part of it . It 's a lot better than watching it on TV . '' A gutsy Sharapova saved match points in two different games with punishing forehands , both players took turns uttering shouts of `` come on '' -- Williams was penalized in the second set for yelling out in celebration when a point was n't over -- and despite not being fully fit , Williams covered the court with aplomb . A 12-minute rain delay in the first set -- during which Williams vomited off court -- forced organizers to close the roof on Rod Laver Arena and with conditions subsequently perfect for serving , it boosted Williams ' already potent delivery . `` I also started serving better in the second set because I knew if I was n't having my ground strokes where I wanted them to be , I knew I could serve it out , '' Williams said . Fifteen of her 18 aces , including one to wrap up the nearly two-hour contest , came in the second . `` When the games on her serve were 30-all , 40-30 or 15-30 a few times , she came up with really great serves , '' Sharapova said . `` There 's a few , just very limited amount of players that serve in that speed range as she does consistently . `` She finds the corners extremely well . '' Williams , who suffered from a fever and cough all this week , set the tone by breaking in the first game . She took control of the first by winning six straight points following the rain delay to build a 5-2 advantage . But Sharapova , one of the game 's best competitors , did n't melt in the second set . She matched and even surpassed Williams from the baseline . Sharapova saved one match point trailing 5-4 and the other at 4-6 in the tiebreak after saving two match points in the second round . Another escape act was n't on the cards , however . With Williams finally holding match point on her own serve , she thought she hit an ace out wide . A let was called . No matter . She reloaded and hit an almost identical serve to see off Sharapova . The pair have n't always gotten along -- Sharapova 's current boyfriend , men 's pro Grigor Dimitrov , is believed to have formerly dated Williams -- but a warm handshake ensued . Williams maintained her record of never losing past the quarterfinals in Melbourne , improving to 12-0 . Besides suffering another defeat to Williams , Sharapova failed in her bid for a sixth major and first outside Roland Garros in seven years . `` I have n't beaten her in a really long time but I love every time I step on the court to play against her because she 's been the best and as a tennis player you want to play against the best , '' Sharapova said . `` I was almost down and out in the second round and I feel like I gave myself a second life in this tournament and gave myself an opportunity . It was n't quite enough today but I 'm proud of my effort and couple of weeks here . '' In Sunday 's men 's final , top-seed Novak Djokovic faces sixth-seed Andy Murray . Like Williams , four-time winner Djokovic has never been beaten at Melbourne Park in a semifinal or final .
Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open final . Williams prevails 6-3 7-6 to beat Sharapova for the 16th straight time . Williams wins a 19th major and sixth title at Melbourne Park .