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Is Serena the greatest? Pick your favourite…

Who is the greatest female tennis player of the Open era?

It is a question fans love to debate.

Of course, it is difficult to compare across eras, with technology and professionalism evolving since the Open era – which allowed professionals to compete alongside amateurs – began in 1968.

Is the number of Grand Slam wins what really matters? Serena Williams has won the most in the Open era – her victory in the Australian Open taking her to 23.

“Serena is the greatest of all-time because this era is so much more competitive than previous eras,” says BBC Sport presenter Sue Barker, herself a former French Open champion.

Do you agree? From our shortlist, pick your 1-7 using our interactive tool – and if you still can’t decide, Sue’s analysis below might help.

We will announce your greatest on Monday, 30 January.

My greatest female champion

Pick your greatest champion by ranking the seven women who have won the most Open Era major titles.

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Billie Jean King8 Grand Slam titles, 1968-1975

Chris Evert18 Grand Slam titles, 1974-1986

Margaret Court11 Grand Slam titles, 1969-1973

Martina Navratilova18 Grand Slam titles, 1978-1990

Monica Seles9 Grand Slam titles, 1990-1996

Serena Williams23 Grand Slam titles, 1999-

Steffi Graf22 Grand Slam titles, 1987-1999

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Serena Williams – 23 titles in the Open era

Barker: “Serena has won 23 in an era which is so much more competitive than previous eras. The first, second and third-round matches at Grand Slams are more competitive than they used to be.

“The pace she generates, her serve is without question the greatest ever, and put that with her movement and her power, she pushes her opponents constantly on the back foot.”

Steffi Graf – 22

Barker: “She is the greatest athlete that has ever played the game. Steffi made everything look effortless and incredibly graceful. The big forehand was her trademark.

“She was great for the game and we needed someone like her to take the game forward. However, I do feel she was in an era where she was not well challenged because Gabriela Sabatini went away and then so did Monica Seles after her stabbing. We never saw a great rivalry develop.”

Martina Navratilova – 18

Barker: “Martina was the first person who changed the physical side of the women’s game. While we all just went for a three-mile run, she started doing training off court – she did specific gym exercises and built up muscles which we hadn’t seen before. She dominated, and the other players had to change.

“Her serve-volley was exceptional. I don’t think there has been a better serve-volleyer in the women’s game at the top level.”

Chris Evert – 18

Barker: “She was mentally so incredibly hard. To try to get past Chrissie you knew you were going to suffer – you were going to run and run and run. She never broke down, she didn’t make an error and played the big points so well.

“She didn’t miss and never got nervous – that’s why they called her ‘The Ice Princess’. She never look flustered. Mentally she was incredibly strong and solid in every department.”

Margaret Court – 11 (plus 13 before the Open era)

Barker: “Margaret was from a very different era. It is difficult to compare because it was a different game then – it wasn’t a hard-hitting game. She was tall and had an incredible wingspan, she could almost touch either sideline! She had great reach so just trying to pass her was very difficult.

“However, most of her Grand Slams were won in Australia – and I sound a little bit disrespectful here – when it was only Australians playing it because no-one went there. I think the records that came later from the others were greater.”

Monica Seles – 9

Barker: “Monica could have been one of the greatest ever if the stabbing had not happened. She was just beginning to get the better of Steffi.

“I feel tennis was robbed of that incredible rivalry because she was never the same player when she came back – which was totally understandable.”

Billie Jean King – 8 (plus four before the Open era)

Barker: “Billie Jean is the greatest in terms of the whole sport, combining her Slam wins with everything else she has done off the court in terms of promoting the sport.

“Tennis is probably the best known women’s sport because of everything she has done for the game. She was a great champion and moved the game forward.”

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'It's very special' – Federer & Nadal renew 13-year rivalry

Roger Federer says he will not let his long-standing rivalry with Rafael Nadal affect his performance in the Australian Open final on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Swiss has met Nadal, 30, in eight Grand Slam finals, most recently at the French Open in 2011.

Federer, attempting to secure his 18th Grand Slam title, has not beaten 14-time major winner Nadal in the final of a Slam since Wimbledon in 2007.

“I’ve got to have a sort of a nothing-to-lose mentality,” said Federer.

“I know this court allows me to play a certain game against Rafa that I cannot do on centre court at the French Open.”

• Live scores, results and order of play
• Serena beats Venus to win record 23rd Grand Slam
• BBC coverage of the Australian Open

Spain’s Nadal has won six of the duo’s Grand Slam final meetings, including beating Federer in five sets to win the Australian Open in 2009.

The two will meet on court for the 35th time in Melbourne from 08:30 GMT.

“He’s an incredible tennis player,” said Federer, who described himself as Nadal’s number one. “He’s got shots that no other one has. When you have that, you are unique and special.”

Should Nadal win on Sunday, he will be the first man in the Open era – and third overall – to win all four Grand Slam titles twice. Federer, meanwhile, is trying to become the first man to win three of the major titles five times.

“It’s exciting for both of us that we are still there and fighting for important events,” said Nadal. “It’s very special.”

‘I didn’t think about being where I am now’

The rivalry began at the Miami Masters in 2004, when a 17-year-old Nadal beat Federer, then the world number one, 6-3 6-3.

Nadal has won 23 of their 34 meetings, but Federer triumphed in their last – in Basel in 2015.

Three of their Grand Slam finals have gone to five sets, as did both of their semi-finals earlier this week.

Nadal took four hours 56 minutes to beat Grigor Dimitrov on Friday, a day after Federer was taken to five sets by compatriot Stan Wawrinka.

Both players had injury-affected seasons in 2016, with Federer sidelined for six months with a knee problem, and a wrist injury forcing Nadal to withdraw from the French Open.

“When you have to go from Roland Garros without going on court, I remember myself crying in the car. That was a tough moment,” Nadal said.

“I didn’t think about being where I am today. It is special to play with Roger again in a final of a Grand Slam.”

Federer looks to roll back the years

Sunday’s match will be Federer’s 100th at the Australian Open.

He is the oldest man to reach a Grand Slam final since Ken Rosewall, a US Open finalist in 1975 aged 39 years and 310 days.

And victory would make him the second oldest man to win a Grand Slam title in the Open era – Rosewall having won three major titles after his 35th birthday.

“Rosewall wrote me a letter this week to wish me well again,” said Federer. “He does it every year at the Australian Open.

“To be in the same breath like these guys, it’s a great feeling. I love these guys. It means a lot to me to have equalled something like this.”

Nadal v Federer – previous Grand Slam finals

2006: French Open – Nadal won 1-6 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7-4)

2006: Wimbledon – Federer won 6-0 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (2-7) 6-3

2007: French Open – Nadal won 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4

2007: Wimbledon – Federer won 7-6 (9-7) 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 2-6 6-2

2008: French Open – Nadal won 6-1 6-3 6-0

2008: Wimbledon – Nadal won 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (8-10) 9-7

2009: Australian Open – Nadal won 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-2

2011: French Open – Nadal won 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 6-1

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Serena beats Venus to win record 23rd Slam

Serena Williams beat sister Venus in straight sets to win her seventh Australian Open and an Open-era record 23rd Grand Slam singles title.

Serena, 35, won 6-4 6-4 to pass Steffi Graf in the all-time list of major winners since the Grand Slams accepted professional players in 1968.

The American regains the number one ranking from German Angelique Kerber.

Australia’s Margaret Court, with 24, is the only player still ahead of Serena in terms of Grand Slam singles titles.

“Congratulations Serena on number 23,” said Venus, who at 36 was the oldest Australian Open finalist in the Open era.

“I have been right there with you, some of them I lost right there against you. It’s been an awesome win.

“I’m enormously proud of you, you mean the world to me. I, God willing, would love to come back. Thank you for all the love.”

Serena paid tribute to her sister, who was playing her first major final for eight years, saying: “There’s no way I would be at 23 without her. There’s no way I’d be at one without her. She’s my inspiration.

“She’s the only reason I’m standing here today. She’s the only reason the Williams sisters exist. Thank you for inspiring me. Every time you won this week, I felt like I got a win too.”

Favourite Serena too strong for Venus

Serena went into the match as a strong favourite, but the tension was apparent as early as the third game when she smashed a racquet in frustration, receiving a code violation.

She had broken serve in the first and third games only to hand the advantage straight back each time, three double faults inexplicably littering a desperate game for 2-2.

It was clear the six-time champion was struggling to settle, with 13 unforced errors in the opening five games, while elder sister Venus kept her under pressure with some deep hitting.

The decisive move of the set came with a superb drop volley followed by a thumping forehand winner from Serena to break for 4-3, and this time she managed to consolidate on serve.

In contrast to the opening stages, the following nine games went with serve – Venus recovering superbly from 0-40 early in the second set – but it was Serena who was creating the chances.

She finally capitalised on her sixth break point of the set with a brilliant return to lead 4-3 and followed it up with her best service game of the match for 5-3.

The crowd on Rod Laver Arena had been backing Venus from the beginning as she tried to win a first major title for eight years, and all the more so as defeat loomed and she appeared to struggle physically.

There was a huge cheer when she held serve to force her sister to serve out the match, but Serena recovered from 15-30 to earn match point and fell back on the court in celebration as her sister sent the ball floating wide.

Reaction

Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent: When you think where this story began, in the Californian neighbourhood of Compton, their dad begging clubs to donate their old tennis balls so they could practise. Their story is a remarkable one. Given the way she is playing, you have to say Serena is odds on to go past Margaret Court.

Billie Jean King on Twitter: Congrats @serenawilliams on your 23rd major title and return to the top of the @WTA rankings. You are a history maker and a trailblazer.

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Australian Alcott beats GB's Lapthorne in final

Australia’s Paralympic champion Dylan Alcott beat Britain’s Andy Lapthorne to win the quad wheelchair singles final at the Australian Open.

Alcott came through 6-2 6-2 on the Rod Laver Arena to win his third consecutive Australian title.

“It feels amazing,” said the 26-year-old from Melbourne.

“To go three in a row is what I wanted, but to play in the first ever wheelchair match on the Centre Court of a Grand Slam feels unbelievable.”

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Serena Williams vs Venus Williams AO 2017 Final Preview and Prediction

For the first time in 9 years, the Williams sisters will play in a grand slam final against each other. Serena’s run…

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Williams sisters to face each other in the Australian Open 2017 final

The Williams sisters will play their first slam final against each other since 2009 on Saturday. Both women breezed through…

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Australian Open 2017: Rafael Nadal relishes Roger Federer reunion

World number nine Rafael Nadal says his rivalry with Roger Federer transcends tennis as they prepare to meet in Sunday’s Australian Open final.

Nadal and Federer both endured five-set matches in their semi-finals.

The Spaniard, 30, has won 23 of his 34 meetings with the 35-year-old Swiss, including an unforgettable victory in the 2008 Wimbledon final.

“People from outside our world talk about this, and that’s good for our sport,” said Nadal.

“The combination of two styles makes the matches really special,” he added.

The head-to-head history also favours Nadal by six wins to two in Grand Slam finals and three to zero at the Australian Open. But the 14-time Major winner says that Sunday’s final meeting will take their rivalry into new territory.

• Follow all the reaction to Nadal’s win
• Watch highlights at 17:00 GMT on BBC Two
• Live scores, results and order of play

“That was a long time ago. It is a different match, a different moment for both of us. This match is completely different than what happened before,” Nadal added.

“I really don’t think about what happened in the past. I think the player who plays better is going to be the winner.”

Comebacks to the future

Both Nadal and Federer ended their 2016 seasons early after suffering injuries.

A knee problem kept Federer out of action in the wake of his Wimbledon semi-final defeat by Milos Raonic, while Nadal was sidelined by a wrist injury that forced his withdrawal from the French Open.

Federer travelled to Nadal’s home town of Manacor in Majorca for the opening of his rival’s tennis academy in October.

“That was amazing. I have said hundreds of time, but I can’t stop saying thanks because it was very emotional for everybody,” recalled Nadal.

“In that moment, for sure, we never thought that we have the chance to be in a final again.”

Recovery plans

On Friday the Spaniard beat Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 in almost five hours to reach a first Grand Slam final since 2014.

While Federer was also extended over five sets in his semi-final, the Swiss will have had an extra day to recover from his win over countryman Stan Wawrinka.

Nadal was in a similar situation in 2009 when he recovered from a gruelling five-hour win over Fernando Verdasco in the last four to beat Federer in the final in Melbourne.

“That is what I am going to try. I did it in 2009, but I am eight years older,” Nadal said.

“It is true that if you play a match like I had today, probably you are at a disadvantage. But that’s a special situation. I cannot complain about that. I think it is good.

“But now is not the time to talk about that. It is time to be happy, very happy.”

Dimitrov taking positives

Under the guidance of Andy Murray’s former coach Dani Vallverdu, Dimitrov has risen to number 15 in the world from 40th in July.

Having pushed Nadal all the way, he believes his Australian Open campaign is a strong base to build his season on.

“It’s never easy to lose a match like that. I’m happy, though, with a lot of things. I’m going to stay positive and keep my head up high.

“I’m competing great. Physically I’m getting there. Despite the disappointment, that’s going to feed me, I think, for the upcoming events.”

While refusing to predict the result, the Bulgarian said that Sunday’s final would be a “freakin’ amazing” match.

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Australian Open: Rafael Nadal beats Grigor Dimitrov in semi-final

Rafael Nadal set up a much-anticipated Australian Open final against old rival Roger Federer with an epic, five-set semi-final win over Grigor Dimitrov.

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Venus and Serena Williams set for Australian Open final

Serena Williams says facing elder sister Venus in Saturday’s Australian Open final will be a great occasion.

Serena, 35, is bidding for an Open-era record 23rd Grand Slam, while Venus, 36, is targeting her eighth major, and first since Wimbledon in 2008.

“This probably is the moment of our careers so far,” said Serena, who has beaten Venus in six of their eight Grand Slam finals.

“I never lost hope of us being able to play each other in a final.”

Saturday will be their first Grand Slam final against each other since Wimbledon 2009, when Serena won in straight sets, and their 28th meeting in total.

“Nothing can break our family,” added Serena. “If anything, this will definitely bring us closer together, knowing that I want to see her do the best that she can possibly do.

“I know that she definitely wants to see me do the best that I can do. This is a story. This is something that I couldn’t write a better ending for. This is a great opportunity for us to start our new beginning.

“It’s the one time that I really genuinely feel like no matter what happens, I can’t lose, she can’t lose. It’s going to be a great situation.”

Serena drew level with Germany’s Steffi Graff on 22 Grand Slams when she claimed her seventh Wimbledon title last year, but lost in the US Open semi-finals to Czech Karolina Pliskova.

A seventh title at Melbourne Park would add further credit to her claim as the greatest of all time, despite being one short of Australia’s Margaret Court, whose 24 major titles were split between the amateur and professional eras.

Venus failed to reach a single Grand Slam quarter-final between 2011 and 2014 as she battled injuries and Sjogren’s syndrome, an auto-immune disease that causes fatigue and joint pain.

Now, however, Venus is enjoying a late resurgence, backing up her run to the last four at Wimbledon six months ago by going one step further here.

Previous Grand Slam finals

2001 – US Open – Venus Williams – 6-2 6-4

2002 – French Open – Serena Williams – 7-5 6-3

2002 – Wimbledon – Serena Williams – 7-6 (7-4) 6-3

2002 – US Open – Serena Williams – 6-4 6-3

2003 – Australian Open – Serena Williams – 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-4

2003 – Wimbledon – Serena Williams – 4-6 6-4 6-2

2008 – Wimbledon – Venus Williams – 7-5 6-4

2009 – Wimbledon – Serena Williams – 7-6 (7-3) 6-2

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Nadal wins epic to set up Federer final

Rafael Nadal set up a much-anticipated Australian Open final against old rival Roger Federer with an epic, five-set semi-final win over Grigor Dimitrov.

The Spaniard won 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 in almost five hours to reach a first Grand Slam final since 2014.

Dimitrov’s wait to reach a maiden Slam final continues after Nadal, 30, inflicted his first defeat of the year.

Nadal, who is attempting to win a 15th major title, will face Swiss rival Federer, 35, in Melbourne on Sunday.

“I never dreamed to be back in the final of the Australian Open,” said Nadal.

“It is a very special thing for both of us to be playing again in a major final. Neither of us probably thought we would be here again.”

• Follow all the reaction to Nadal’s win
• Watch highlights at 17:00 GMT on BBC Two
• Live scores, results and order of play

The ninth seed will meet Federer, who needed five sets to beat compatriot Stan Wawrinka in Thursday’s first semi-final, in Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena at 08:30 GMT.

As well as a day’s extra rest, 17-time Grand Slam winner Federer spent almost two hours less on court during his semi-final than Nadal, having beaten Wawrinka in a comparatively quick three hours and five minutes.

Both Nadal and Dimitrov showed incredible endurance in a match during which neither man looked like wilting.

Eventually the 25-year-old Bulgarian buckled first – losing his serve at 4-4 in the deciding set – as Nadal wrapped up victory with his third match point at almost 00:45 local time.

Nadal dropped to his knees at the baseline in celebration, bringing a charged Rod Laver Arena to its feet, when Dimitrov sent a forehand long.

His victory means all four singles finalists are aged 30 or over, with 35-year-old Serena Williams meeting sister Venus, 36, in the women’s final on Saturday.

Melbourne ready for ‘Fedal’ final

Much of the talk before Friday’s second semi-final centred around the prospect of Nadal meeting Federer for the ninth time in a Grand Slam final.

The pair dominated the men’s game between 2004 and 2010, before Novak Djokovic’s emergence, and have provided many memorable duels over the past 13 years.

However, few would have suggested a fortnight ago they would be reunited in the first major final of 2017.

Federer is making his competitive return in Melbourne after six months out with a knee injury, while Nadal has also struggled with form and injury over the past couple of years.

But both men have disproved the notion the combination of ageing bodies and physical problems would prevent them from challenging again for major honours.

Nadal showed few signs of fatigue in his marathon win against Dimitrov, just as Federer did not when he overcame compatriot Wawrinka in Thursday’s semi-final.

Now they have been rewarded with their first Slam showpiece since the French Open in 2011.

Many positives in defeat for Dimitrov

Dimitrov received a standing ovation as he left the Rod Laver Arena, though it was probably scant consolation after failing to become the first Bulgarian to reach a major final.

Once dubbed ‘Baby Fed’ for his similarity in playing style to Federer, he showed enough against Nadal to suggest he will end that unwanted record soon.

However, it is difficult to pinpoint what more he could have done.

Dimitrov showed he has the tools needed to compete with the best players – thumping down 20 aces to Nadal’s eight, cracking 79 winners to Nadal’s 45 and showing extraordinary defensive resilience.

It was still too little against an inspired Nadal.

The Spaniard showed remarkable physical and mental strength to overcome Dimitrov and is now one win away from becoming the first man to win the double career Grand Slam in the Open era.

More to follow.

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