Williams wins 6-4 3-6 6-2

Serena is clincial in closing out. She goes 40-0 up with more big serves. Henin saves the first championship point with a mis-hit return but Williams is not fazed. A backhand winner into the corner earns her a fifth Australian Open title - an Open era record - and she falls to the court in delight.

Third set: Williams 5 Henin 2

A clean forehand winner from Williams followed by a double fault from Henin leaves the Belgian in trouble. When Henin fails to dig out a shot down to her feet it's 15-40. Williams makes it a double break with another powerful shot wich forces Henin to go long. Another shriek of delight and a fist pump follows. This match looks all but over now.

Third set: Williams 4 Henin 2

Williams topples into the net at one stage during the game - although the point had already been won - and she goes on to hold to 30. A successfully Hawkeye challenge from Henin prevents an ace on game point, but Williams simply produces a valid ace to take the game. A yelp of delight and a little leap into the air follows. The break is converted and she leads 4-2 in this final set.

Third set: Williams 3 Henin 2

A great lob from Henin moves her to 30-15 but a double fault is followed by a crunching winner from Serena to bring up break point. Henin sends a backhand long and wide on it and it's a third consecutive game against the server. Not good from Henin there. Williams is back in control, but for how long?

Third set: Williams 2 Henin 2

The see-saw nature of the match continues as Williams comes up with a poor game and allows Henin to break straight back. A wild forehand makes it 0-40 and although two break points are saved, the third is taken as a weak second serve is punsihed by Henin's off-forehand.

Third set: Williams 2 Henin 1

Some heavy hitting from Williams causes Henin problems and when she sends a forehand wide it's 15-40. She then forces Henin into a volley error and the American manages the first break of the deciding set. She's changed the momentum here.

Third set: Williams 1 Henin 1

After 15 points in a row against her, Williams finally halts the streak. But a sumptuous forehand from Henin is followed by a volley error from Williams to make it 15-40. However, again Williams is able to find an ace when most needed and a drive volley brings it back to deuce. She claims the next two points too to hold. Williams needed that.

Third set: Williams 0 Henin 1

It's now 14 straight points for Henin after a love hold. Williams hits three shots into the net, including a tired-looking shot on the last point. Worrying times for her.

Break: Having lost the last 10 points, Williams heads off court for a bathroom break. Henin decides to leave too.

Second set: Williams 3 Henin 6

Williams nets to fall down 0-30 and then another Henin winner brings her three set points. Williams nets again and it's all square in this final. A deciding set is about to begin.

Second set: Williams 3 Henin 5

A shout of 'allez' from Henin as she crunches away another backhand for 30-0. A forehand winner follows and a big serve completes a love hold. The 2004 champion has really found her groove in the last few minutes.

Second set: Williams 3 Henin 4

A couple of Williams winners are followed by a double fault. Henin then comes up with a backhand pass to make it 30-30. Another excellent point from the Belgian brings up break point but again Williams is able to come up with an ace when required. Henin comes to the net on the following point to score with a volley and earn a second break chance. This one is taken thanks to an impressive return. Excellent tennis in that game from Henin. That had the feeling of a big, big game in the context of the match.

Second set: Williams 3 Henin 3

Henin produces one of her classical backhand winners early in the game but is pegged back to 30-30. Williams wins a brutal rally when a Henin drop shot fails to pay off to bring up break point. The chance is squandered though with Williams going well long with a forehand - a shot which brings a wry smile from the American. On the second deuce, some great defence from Henin sees her move to game point and she closes out by winning another long rally. All square at 3-3 in this second set now. First set Williams remember.

Second set: Williams 3 Henin 2

More length problems for Henin prove her undoing in game five of the set and Williams clinches it with a big serve that can only be returned into the net.

Second set: Williams 2 Henin 2

A sloppy start to the game from Henin sees her fall down 0-30. A powerful backhand winner then takes Williams to 15-40. A nice drop shot saves the first break point but on the second good depth from the top seed forces Henin to net. Disappointment for Henin, who is back level in this second set.

Second set: Williams 1 Henin 2

The crowd roar their approval as Henin puts away a forehand to move to 0-30 on the Williams serve. The American then lets out a shriek as she sends a forehand wide. Three break points. Henin only needs one, Williams failing to do enough with a volley at the net and her opponent duly making the backhand pass. Now we have a match on our hands.

Second set: Williams 1 Henin 1

Too many errors from both players at the moment. A couple of wild shots from the baseline from the Belgian bring up two break points. As if to emphasise that first comment, Williams nets with her return on the first of them, and then goes long on the second. A big serve takes Henin to advantage and another long forehand from her opponent sees the set levelled up. A crucial hold there for Henin, but it was a bit too close for comfort.

Second set: Williams 1 Henin 0

A comfortable hold to 15 for Williams, who polishes the game off with an ace. Big game coming up for Henin now.

First set: Williams 6 Henin 4

Two double faults from Henin arrive an an untimely moment - the second bringing up set point. Williams nets on the return as the chance disappears but when Henin goes long she gets a second opportunity comes along. Williams takes control of the point with a good return and wins it when the ball clips the top of the net and drops just wide. First set to Serena. A key stat from that set - Henin won one of seven break points; Williams took two out of three.

First set: Williams 5 Henin 4

Williams responds with a love hold of her own - by far her easiest hold of the match. A fifth ace of the matches takes her to 40-0 and Henin is then too keen with a second-serve return, sending it well long. Henin will now serve to stay in the first set.

First set: Williams 4 Henin 4

A love hold for Henin as Williams produces three unforced errors. She wins a third straight game to level this first set. The momentum is with the Belgian right now.

First set: Williams 4 Henin 3

Really trying to attack the second serve, Henin comes inside the baseline to crack a return to move to 0-30. It's soon 15-40 and two break-back points. Williams stands firm on the first with a volley at the net but the second sees Henin crunch a forehand winner away. The Belgian breaks at last and we are back on serve.

First set: Williams 4 Henin 2

Henin races 40-0 up but two errors - the second a double fault - allow Serena back into the game. However, she then nets and Henin cuts the deficit.

First set: Williams 4 Henin 1

Williams' turn to throw in a poor game - two shots into the net helping Henin to 15-40. Again the big first serve is produced to save one. Controversy follows on the second - the linesman calling a Henin volley out before correcting himself. The point is replayed and again it's a huge serve down the middle which wins it. The crowd aren't happy but those are the rules. Williams closes out the game and leads 4-1. The scoreline hardly reflects how close this match has been. The difference so far has been Williams' ability to find that big first serve when it's been needed.

First set: Williams 3 Henin 1

Williams forces Henin into a volley error on the first point and a double fault makes it 0-30. A searing backhand winner into the corner of the court brings up three break points and when Henin pulls a forehand into the tramlines, Williams has the first break. A very quick game that one. Henin will need to refocus quickly.

First set: Williams 2 Henin 1

The top seed comes up with the first double fault and Henin then adds to the pressure by charging to the net forcing Williams into an error to fall 15-30 down. An ace gets her level but then it's Henin's turn to benefit from the net cord - it brings her break point. The chance is snuffed out by a thunderous ace. Henin saves three game points with superb winners - two forehands and one backhand - but the fourth is taken with Williams putting a smash away. The first three games have taken 22 minutes - this could be an epic.

First set: Williams 1 Henin 1

Henin lets rip with his trademark one-handed backhand which draws a big cheer from the crowd - no doubt who they want to win this evening. At 30-0 down, Williams gets fortunate with a dead net cord and then crunches a superb forehand return winner to make it 30-30. However, she follows that with two shots wide, allowingHenin to level up.

First set: Williams 1 Henin 0

Williams starts with an ace but then falls two break points down after hitting a forehand into the court before it even gets to the net. Both are saved though. Williams then wins the first Hawkeye challenge of the match but needs four game points to claim the opener. Eight minutes long, the game was notable for both players sending several shots beyond the baseline. Perhaps an indication of how crucial good depth will be today.

Here we go: All ready to go now. Serena to serve. Let's play!

Warm-up: What's evident straight away is the amount of strapping on Williams' legs. She's had heavy strapping on her thigh throughout the tournament but there's also some just below her left knee today too. Henin has the now-familiar black strips down the inside of her thigh. Not quite sure what it does, but it's also been there in all her matches.

Coin toss: Henin calls heads but the coin comes down tails. Williams opts to serve first. After a photo, the players start to knock up.

Pre-match: The players are just walking onto the Rod Laver Arena. It's been a nice day in Melbourne, so the roof is open for this final.

Pre-match: Looking at the head-to-head record, Williams leads 7-6 but interestingly it's 4-2 to Henin in Grand Slam matches. Somewhat surprisingly, this is the first Grand Slam final between the pair. Of course, they haven't played for almost two years due to Henin's period in retirement but the last time they did face off it was Serena who posted a crushing win - 6-2 6-0 in Miami.

Pre-match: Many feel this is too close to call, but I'm going for Williams. She may have had the tougher semi-final (Henin won her semi in less than an hour) but overall the American has had the easier route to the final. Henin's had to dig deep to beat Elena Dementieva, Alisa Kleybanova and Yanina Wickmayer. For me, the key could well by Henin's second serve - Williams will batter it if it's short and weak and it hasn't looked in great shape so far in Melbourne. Overall it will be largely about Serena's power and Henin's court craft.

Pre-match: Welcome to our coverage of the Australian Open women's singles final between top seed and defending champion Serena Williams, and the wildcard entry Justine Henin. We've had some really disappointing women's Grand Slam finals in recent years, but this one has all the makings of a classic. Certainly there's a good story in it either way - if Williams wins she becomes the first woman to win five Melbourne titles in the Open era, while Henin will cap a remarkable comeback if she claims victory. Remember this is only her second tournament back on the tour after 20 months in retirement. The match starts at 0830 GMT - we'll add to our preview of the clash shortly so stayed logged on!