Serena Williams of the US holds the trophy during a photo call, after beating Justine Henin of Belgium, to win the women's singles final match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 30, 2010. [CFP]

World No. 1 Serena Williams won her fifth Australian Open singles title after beating Belgian Justine Henin in the final on Saturday.

The American clinched it on her second match point to win 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 on Roda Laver Aerna and claim her 12th grand slam singles trophy.

"She's a real champion. Well done, again," said Henin.

The victory also means that Williams became the first woman to repeat as Australian Open champion since Jennifer Capriati in 2002.

In taking this year's title, Williams broke her streak of winning in Melbourne in alternate years following her first championship in 2003. It also moved her one ahead of Court, Evonne Goologong Cawley, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles for the most Australian Open titles since professionals first were admitted in 1969.

"I feel amazing," said Serena. "I feel like it happened but it hasn't happened, so it's really kind of cool."