Stunning Serena wins title

Unseeded and ranked number 81 in the world, Williams demolished the current US Open champion in just 63 minutes to add the 2007 crown to the titles she won in 2003 and 2005.

"I would like to dedicate this win to my sister, who is not here, her name is Yetunde," Williams said - her voice cracking with emotion - of her sister who was shot dead in Los Angeles in 2003.

"I just love her so much. A couple of days ago I said if I win this it will be for her so thanks Yetunde," added the American, who will now climb to 14th in the world on Monday.

Williams signalled her intent right from the off with a comfortable opening point that pushed Sharapova out wide on the serve before hitting into the opening court.

And when the 25-year-old American sealed her opening service game with 122mph ace, the crowd knew they were going to see some of the best tennis of the tournament.

Sharapova - who will be the new world number one when the rankings are realeased on Monday - looked edgy from the outset serving two double faults in her first service game and gifting Williams the break when she dumped a loose forehand into the net.

From then on the first set was all about Williams and within 20 minutes Sharapova was being forced to stay in the set trailing 0-5.

To the Russians' credit she eventually managed to stop the rot and hold serve firing down a smash at Williams' body to which the American was seen to mouth "You'll pay for that".

Williams captured the set on the second time of asking sending down a huge serve - the like of which caused damage all night - that Sharapova could not control hitting the return wide.

There was no sign of things changing early in the second set as Sharapova relinquished her serve once again in the opening game with another double fault and a scorching forehand winner down the line from Williams.

A little lapse in concentration in the second game of the set allowed a glimpse of hope for Sharapova as two successive double faults from Williams gave the Russian a break point.

But an ace immediately after staved off the danger for the American and normal service was resumed when she broke Sharapova in the very next game.

Sharapova did managed to get herself off the mark in the second set holding for 4-1 and again for 5-2 but by that time the die was cast and the result not in doubt.

After exactly an hour Williams stepped up to serve for the match. Sharapova showed her defensive qualities in the first point but dumped another forehand into the net to undo all her good work.

Williams could see the end now and two aces later had set up a triple match point.

Another huge serve and it took all Sharapova's strength just to block the ball back into court allowing Williams an easy forehand put-away into the open court to become the first unseeded champion since Chris O'Neill in 1978.

"You can never under-estimate her, not many people expected her to reach the final but I did, she's an amazing champion," said a tearful Sharapova after suffering her first Grand Slam final defeat.

"I look forward to playing her many more times in the future and hopefully winning a few."