She may have been ill but that didn`t stop Serena Williams from claiming a 19th grand slam title Saturday.

The world No. 1 beat second-ranked Maria Sharapova 6-3 7-6 (5) in an absorbing Australian Open final to move into sole possession of second place in grand slams won in the Open Era behind Steffi Graf`s 22.

Despite suffering from a fever and cough this week, Williams set the tone by breaking in the first game. She took control of the first set by winning six straight points following a 12-minute rain delay -- organizers then opted to use the roof at Rod Laver Arena -- for a 5-2 lead.

The second set was punctuated with shouts of "come on" from both players but it was ultimately Williams who had reason to celebrate the most.

A gutsy Sharapova saved a match point trailing 5-4 and another at 4-6 in the tiebreak -- each time with forehands down the line -- but when Williams finally had match point on her serve, she delivered her 18th ace.

Sharapova -- who was bidding for a sixth major but first outside Roland Garros in seven years -- lost her 16th straight match against the American.

Williams, too, maintained her record of never losing past the quarterfinals in Melbourne, improving to 12-0.

In Sunday`s men`s final, top-seed Novak Djokovic faces sixth-seed Andy Murray. Like Williams, four-time winner Djokovic has never been beaten at Melbourne Park in a semifinal or final.

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