Serena says vomiting during final helped to clinch Oz Open title

World number one Serena Williams admitted that vomiting during the final clash against her Russian opponent Maria Sharapova significantly helped her to clinch a sixth Australian Open title in Melbourne.

The American world number won the first grand slam of the year with a 6-3, 7-6(7-5) victory over her Russian opponent Sharapova in a pulsating thriller that lasted one hour and 50 minutes.

Reflecting on her performance, Serena said that she had got a really bad cold, adding that she ended up throwing up and that helped when she got everything out of her and cleared her chest out as she couldn't breathe a little bit, the BBC reported.

Losing the first set, Sharapova showed glimpses of resilience as she fought back stoutly to fend off a championship point at 4-5 to force a tie-break.

Subsequently, the Russian further saved two championship points in the tie-break before Serena sealed the game by firing an 18th ace of the match.