Serena Williams of the US hugs her trophy during the awarding ceremony of the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan 27, 2007. Williams won the title by beating Maria Sharapova of Russia 2-0 (6-1, 6-2). (Xinhua Photo/Lui Siu Wai) Photo Gallery>>>

    MELBOURNE, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Unseeded American Serena Williams crushed top seed Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-2 in the final at Rod Laver Arena to win her third Australian Open women's singles title here on Saturday.

    Williams, a former world No.1 on the comeback trail after injury, humbled the soon-to-be crowned No.1 in one hour and three minutes with a perfect performance.

    The American produced a scintillating display of power tennis, breaking Sharapova twice in the opening set to take control of thematch.

    Williams then broke the Russian again in the first game of the second and never looked back.

    The American thanked her family and entourage but became tearful as she dedicated the win to her late sister Yetunde Price,who was shot in Los Angeles in 2003.

    "I just love her so much" she said.

    "A couple of weeks ago I said if I win this I would dedicate itto Yetunde."

    It is Williams' eighth grand slam singles title of the 25-year-old's career, and the third Australian Open championship win after she claimed both titles here in 2003 and 2005.

    Williams became only the second unseeded female to win the championship in the open period since Australia's Chris O'Neill in1978.

    Sharapova said she had a feeling Williams would defy the odds and make the final.

    "You can never underestimate her," Sharapova said.

    "I know a lot of you never expected her to be in the final but I definitely did.

    "She's an amazing champion and I look forward to playing her many more times - and winning a few, I hope," she said.

    Sharapova famously defeated Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final at the age of just 17.

    Williams pocketed 1,281,000 Australian dollars (about 1 millionU.S. dollars) for her victory while Sharapova banked 640,500 dollars as runner-up.

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