Serena Williams struggled to defeat Justine Henin 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 Saturday to claim a fifth title at the Australian Open Saturday, DPA reported.
The laboured victory marked the 12th Grand Slam title for the American and her first in an even-numbered year at Melbourne Park after title success in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009.
Henin, the 2004 champion, was playing in only her second event since reversing a 2008 retirement which lasted 20 months.
Williams became the first Melbourne women's champion to successfully defend her title since Jennifer Capriati in 2002, improving to 8-6 over Henin.