Serena Williams won the womens singles title at the Australian Open 2015 by defeating which opponent in the final?

Introduction / Context:
The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam event of the tennis calendar each year and often features high profile finals between top ranked players. In 2015, Serena Williams won the womens singles title, adding to her already impressive Grand Slam tally. This question asks you to recall which player she defeated in the final. Knowing famous Grand Slam matchups is a common exam topic in sports general knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The tournament is the Australian Open.
• The year is 2015.
• The player who won the womens singles title is Serena Williams.
• The options list Venus Williams, Sania Mirza, Maria Sharapova, and Ana Ivanovic.
• We must identify her opponent in the final, not in earlier rounds.

Concept / Approach:
Serena Williams faced different rivals in various Grand Slam finals, but the 2015 Australian Open womens singles final was a notable match against Maria Sharapova. Williams won in straight sets, reinforcing her dominance at that time. Venus Williams is Serena's sister and has played her in other rounds and finals, but not in this specific final. Sania Mirza is an Indian player mainly known for doubles. Ana Ivanovic, a former French Open champion, did not reach the 2015 Australian Open final. Therefore, Maria Sharapova is the only option that correctly matches this particular final.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Tennis fans often remember the rivalry between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, especially in Grand Slam finals. News reports and highlight reels from 2015 show Serena lifting the trophy in Melbourne after defeating Sharapova. You can also cross check by recalling that Sania Mirza in 2015 was making headlines mostly as a doubles specialist alongside Martina Hingis, not in singles finals, which confirms that she is not the correct answer here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
One common mistake is to choose Venus Williams by default whenever there is a question about Serena's opponent, because the sisters are so often mentioned together. Another is to pick Sania Mirza out of national pride without carefully considering the question. Always match the specific year and tournament with the correct opponent before answering.

Final Answer:
Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova to win the womens singles title at the Australian Open 2015.