PHOTOS: Inspirational Serena claims milestone Slam

'I prayed hard. Prayers not to win but for strength. All glory to God'

'I haven't beaten her in a really long time, but I love every time that 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'

Top seed Serena Williams fought off a barking cough to clinch a historic 19th Grand Slam singles title with a 6-3, 7-6(5) victory over Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open final on Saturday.

Williams's sixth title at Melbourne Park moved her into a tie with fellow American Helen Wills Moody in third on the all-time list after she joined Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert on 18 at last year's US Open.

Only Australia's Margaret Court (24) and Germany's Steffi Graf (22), who holds the record for the Open era, have more Grand Slam singles titles than the 33-year-old American.

During her presentation speech, Serena, in a sign of humility, praising the heavens after her win.

“I prayed hard. Prayers not to win but for strength. All glory to God,” the World No 1 said.

"Growing up, I wasn't the richest, but I had a rich family in spirit and support," Williams said at the trophy presentation.

"Standing here with 19 championships is something I never thought would happen.

"I went on the courts with a ball and racquet and hope and that's all I had.

"I'm so honoured to be here tonight and to hold this 19th trophy."

Williams had not lost to Sharapova since the 2004 WTA Finals, a run of 15 successive victories and was not about to let the Russian end that streak on Saturday.

The tone of the match was set in the first game when Williams broke the Russian's serve.

Even though rain forced them off court for 12 minutes as officials closed the roof in the sixth game, the American was not bothered by the disruption as she reeled off the next six points to establish a 5-2 lead after they returned.

Williams sealed the first set when she broke Sharapova for the third time and then continued her momentum in the second with a powerful service game while she put pressure on the Russian's serve.

Sharapova battled to stay in the match and did have chances to break, but Williams simply reached back and smashed down a succession of massive serves to get out of trouble.

She sealed victory in the tiebreak on her third match point when she powered down her 18th ace and then celebrated at the net after shaking hands with the Russian.

"I've got to congratulate Serena on creating history and on playing some of her best tennis," Sharapova said.

"I haven't beaten her in a really long time, but I love every time that 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.

"So congratulations on an incredible achievement."