A 22nd Grand Slam title and level pegging with Steffi Graf is what Serena Williams will target when she walks into the Rod Laver Arena to play in the Australian Open women's singles final against Angelique Kerber, the girl who idolised the legendary German growing up.
Just like a final appearance for Novak Djokovic is a foregone conclusion at the moment, the same can be said of Serena as well, with the American one win away from defending her Australian Open title and with it equalling Graf's record of 22 Grand Slam titles in the Open era. Margaret Court holds the overall record with 24, which Serena will be targeting with a win at Wimbledon, if all goes according to plan.
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The way things are going, there is nothing to suggest the 34-year-old American powerhouse will have to alter those plans, such is her dominance in the sport. The only time she looked slightly troubled in this 2016 Australian Open was in the first round, against Camila Giorgi, with that match also won in straight sets.
So, it goes without saying that the American has waltzed into the final without dropping a single set, with quarterfinal and semifinal wins over Maria Sharapova and Agnieszka Radwanska respectively, particularly impressive.
"I thought it was going to be a really rough [ride]," Serena told reporters at her post-semifinal win press conference after admitting she was surprised to reach the Australian Open final, even if it was no surprise to everyone else concerned. "I mean, I never thought I was going to go out and lose in the first round, but at the same time I never thought before, I'm going to make it to the final, or anything. I was just playing literally a point at a time."
A point at a time is what Kerber will be thinking of doing as well, and the German will hope she wins enough points to make a match of it. Serena, as dominant as she might be, is beatable, as Roberto Vinci showed in the semifinals of the US Open last year.
Kerber will need to play at her absolute best, and hope Serena, at least, starts a little under par. Kerber, in her first Grand Slam final, admitted to having nerves in the semis, so if she comes in cold in this match against Serena, the title will only go one way.
"I have nothing to lose against Serena," Kerber told reporters. "But at the other point, I can lose the match, you know. Because I will go out there, try to enjoy my first final, try to beat Serena, of course, as well. I must play my best tennis to have a chance. I saw the match against Aga [Radwanska], she was playing unbelievable good.
"But I think the nerves will be getting better when I'm getting out there in the finals."
Nerves got the better of Serena in the semifinal of the US Open as she closed in on a calendar Grand Slam. But, you feel, on Saturday, those nerves might be more on the other side of the court.
Where to Watch Live
The 2016 Australian Open women's singles final between Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber is set to begin at 7.30 pm local time (2 pm IST, 8.30 am GMT, 3.30 am ET). Live coverage of the Australian Open final match in India will be on Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD, with the online live streaming option on Sonyliv.
Channel 7 will broadcast the Australian Open live in Australia, while the final can be live streamed on Channel 7 Online.
ESPN is the place to be to watch Serena hunt her 22nd Grand Slam title in the US and Canada, while the live stream option is on Watch ESPN.
BBC will broadcast the Australian Open final live in the UK and Ireland, while all the action can also be live streamed on BBCiPlayer.
Eurosport and Eurosport Player will show Serena vs Kerber live in the rest of Europe. Bein Sports and Bein Sports Connect will broadcast the Australian Open final in the Middle East and North Africa.
Fox Sports will bring you live coverage of the Australian Open in South East Asia and South Korea.
