Legend

Who would've thought a couple of weeks ago that Serena Williams, after dropping to #81 in the world due to an injury-filled 2006 (during which she played about 4 tournaments) and coming into this year's first tennis Major relatively unfit and significantly lacking in matchplay, would mop the floor with the top seed (and newly crowned #1) Maria Sharapova on her way to the Australian Open Ladies Singles title?

After she nearly lost against Nadia Petrova, was in the ropes against Shahar Peer, and lost concentration when closing out the match against Nicole Vaidisova, Serena looked relatively shaky and vulnerable. The fact that she would be playing against a relatively in-form Sharapova, who trounced Kim Clijsters in the semis, made me think that the top seed would be able to expose her rustiness and take home the crown.

Too bad for her that Serena brought it during the final, making Maria look like a befuddled qualifier who didn't know what hit her. With that immaculate performance, she took home another Grand Slam title - her 8th, with her first trophy coming in the 1999 US Open. The reality is that when Serena is in this kind of form, only a few players at their phenomenal best can stay with her.

So what does that say about Roger Federer, who took his 10th Grand Slam title by winning the Australian Open so ridiculously easily that it almost seemed like he was giving a free tennis clinic to club players? Roddick, who beat Federer in an exhibition shortly before the Australian Open, had full confidence heading into their match. He must've been crushed when Roger allowed him only 6 games over the three sets they played. Fernando Gonzales was in the form of his life and had just demolished #2 Rafael Nadal in their semi. In their final, Federer taunted Gonzales with a couple of chances to steal a set, but then immediately snuffed them out.

In fact, none of his seven opponents took a set off him. Roger was in his menacing best and should've been arrested for beating up all his opponents to a pulp. 10 slams in 5 years. 4 short of Sampras' record. And with Nadal in poor form and no true contenders in site, this just may very well be the year that we have another true calendar Grand Slam.

Meanwhile, enjoy this interesting video where Serena loses to Conan O'Brien in tennis. (Thanks for the link, Mark! =))

Oops, looks like the video's been taken down!